CHENNAI: Two weeks ago, when doctors at a government hospital inserted two fingers into the vagina of a 14-year-old to confirm rape, she was devastated. Not just because the “mandatory” examination was painful, but the process also brought back agonizing memories of the violent act Doctors confirmed rape and she is now being counselled by psychologists at the state-run children’s home but the experience with the medical team left her shaken.Despite the 2013, Supreme Court ruling, against the two finger test — a virginity test done by inserting a finger into the vagina — to establish rape or sexual violence, child protection agencies, police and government hospitals in the state continue to ignore the ruling. In the past two years, the outdated test was conducted in almost all of the 179 rape cases involving children in Chennai.The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act also gives children the right to deny medical examination if it is not in their best interest. “We don’t normally encourage them to do that. Doctors say this test is the only method used to establish sexual violence and many children go through it,” said Sheela Charles, member of the Child Welfare Committee, Chennai. “How else do we establish rape,” she asked.The committee, a statutory body for protection and child rights, has blatantly overlooked the guidelines issued by the ministry of health and family welfare on medico-legal care of the abused. The 100-page guideline not only discourages the two-finger test, but also lists out a series of other tests as part of the best practices. Tamil Nadu , incidentally, was among the first to adopt them.One of the authors of the guideline Bengaluru-based forensic expert Dr Jagadeesh Reddy said: “Size of the vaginal opening has nothing to do with sexual violence. Being sexually active doesn’t mean a girl or a woman can be raped. If the victim is taken for examination early, fresh tears, bleeding, edema and traces of semen can all be crucial evidences of rape,” he said.But that doesn’t happen. “In some cases, evidences are wiped out because the victim is cleaned up or brought in late to the hospital,” said Dr R Selvakumar, forensic head at the Kilpauk Medical College and Hospital.Victims are first questioned by the police and child protection officers before being taken to the hospital. “Police ask us questions such as ‘is she a virgin?’ or ‘do you think she has had intercourse before’, or ‘does it seem consensual or rape’,” he said, insisting on the need for a sensitization programme.

Stay updated with all the Chennai Latest News headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.