Britain’s ‘Virginity’ Clinics Uncovered

ITV | Exposure

UK | Britain's 'Virginity' Clinics Uncovered

The Bafta-winning ITV Exposure strand examines the lucrative trade capitalising upon myths surrounding women's virginity and goes undercover to investigate the clinics making money from so-called virginity testing and repair procedures that campaigners condemn as a violation of human rights.

Reporter Sahar Zand hears how, in the name of 'honour,' women across the UK are being forced to prove their virginity and, for those that fail, they fear the consequences can be deadly.

November 2021

ITV | Exposure | Hardcash Productions

Critics’ Choice - The Telegraph | The Guardian | Radio Times | The Scottish Mail
“When the film came out, we were having lots of meetings in parliament. The film ended the conversation about whether this is harmful, your evidence made it unequivocal that the law needs to change… I've been using your documentary as the hard evidence.” - Naomi Wiseman, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers, drafted proposed legislation to ban hymenoplasty and the child marriage Bill
“Shocking” - MyLondon
“The conversation around virginity and female hymens should, plainly put, be a simple one. ITV’s latest documentary Britain’s ‘Virginity’ Clinics Uncovered shows that in certain situations, it’s far from the case.” - Stylist
“Viewers 'Utterly Horrified' At Britain's 'Virginity' Clinics On ITV.“ - Tyla
“Sparked outrage…” - The New Arab

Impact

Following the broadcast of this documentary which was discussed in the parliament by MPs such as Richard Hodem, and used by a panel of experts as evidence, amendments were incorporated to the health bill, banning both Virginity testing and Hymenoplasty in England and Wales.

Experts and campaigners involved in the ban say that this documentary played a big part in raising awareness and focus, on the issue helping them make the case.

The film also prompted an investigation by the GPC into the pharmacies we identified within the documentary.