Quebec physicians ordered to stop virginity-tests

[-TSS-]

Doctors in Quebec have been asked to stop virginity-tests demanded by a very guessable community

http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/quebec-physicians-ordered-to-stop-performing-virginity-tests-1.1494821

From the link:

Quebec’s physicians college has forbidden its members from performing virginity tests after learning of four cases in which doctors were asked to conduct the gynecological exams. The province’s College des Medicins said it recently provided guidelines outlining its stance on virginity testing, which examines whether a woman has engaged in sexual intercourse. The procedure goes against its code of ethics, the college said, as physicians are not to intervene in their patients’ private lives.

The cases came to light when two University of Montreal ethicists researched virginity testing. The college said a physician also raised concerns about the gynecological exams. Dr. Charles Bernard, CEO of College Des Medecins, said physicians still have a responsibility to evaluate if there is “any problem” that prompted the request, and whether there is a possibility the patient is in danger of being harmed. “If you find there is something going wrong, you can recommend a patient to maybe visit a social worker, a psychologist,” Bernard told CTV Montreal. Bernard said if the physician is very concerned about possible violence, they can even go as far as referring the matter to Quebec’s child welfare system. And, if a physician does issue a “virginity certificate,” he or she could face disciplinary charges. Council for the Status of Women told CTV Montreal it’s important to note that while there were four reported cases, this is not a trend, and the demands are coming from religious fundamentalist groups.

Shaheen Ashraf, from the Canadian Council of Muslim Women, said virginity tests are “archaic.”
“We should be able to control our own bodies,” she said. “No one else should have the right to even think (along) those lines.”

Virginity tests have been in the spotlight in other countries in recent months.

Indonesian officials in August dismissed a proposal by an education official that would require female high school students to undergo the tests. The education official said the procedure stands to protect children from prostitution and premarital sex.

[kimmy]

I approve. I'm skeptical, however, that there's any way to actually enforce it.

-k

[Big Guy]

_{I believe that what is shared between doctor and patient is the business of the doctor and patient. If the patient wants to share that information with someone else then it is the patients choice. The idea of a "certificate" should still be up to the doctor - he/she can issue that certificate to the patient to do with whatever they want (the same way that a lab result of testing for HIV or venereal disease or whatever.) If the patient wants to share that written information with a third party then that is the patients choice. The smart doctor might give the patient a certificate where the patient herself would have the ability to check off the "Yes a virgin" or "No - not a virgin" box. That way it could be applicable to both females and males with equal importance.}

_{Besides - the presence or absence of an intact hymen is not an accurate assessment of the sexual history of a female.}

[AngusThermopyle]

Big Guy, I think you are missing the point. This test is an archaic remnant of a male centric world whereby a woman's worth was judged solely by the status of her Hymen. I'm pretty sure there aren't too many women out there who are unaware of their status as a virgin or not as the case may be. We wont mention the group who desire this test as that would be taboo. All I will say is that its time these folk joined the rest of us in the modern world instead of trying to live in the distant past.

[guyser]

We wont mention the group who desire this test as that would be taboo. All I will say is that its time these folk joined the rest of us in the modern world instead of trying to live in the distant past.

Italians huh?

[Boges]

Mormons!

[Smallc]

Franciscans?

[AngusThermopyle]

Italians huh?

Mormons!

Franciscans?

Wrong wrong wrong. Since you insist I'll say it. Leafs supporters. There! You happy now?

[Smallc]

There are some left?

[jacee]

There are some left?

In Quebec?!

[Boges]

Leaf Fans are everywhere! I would assume even in Quebec.

[guyser]

Leaf Fans are everywhere! I would assume even in Quebec.

Damn right, most of the country loves the Leafs !

(not BD though, he is curmudgeonly)