Not only are such tests likely to cause severe physical and psychological harm, but the results of these exams are often used as the only evidence to prove “moral crimes” charges in court. In many cases, this has led Afghan women to face imprisonment for being a victim (yes, a victim) of sexual violence. Despite receiving widespread condemnation from both the scientific and human rights community, these “virginity exams” continue to be routinely performed by medical professionals for a variety of reasons, ranging from assessing marriage “eligibility” to determining if a rape has occurred. The custom of “virginity testing” is largely rooted in socio-cultural beliefs about female sexuality, particularly the idea that a woman’s “value” is derived from her supposed sexual “purity.” Such practices have been observed in at least 20 countries across the world, most commonly in the Asian and Middle Eastern regions.