TikToker feels 'violated' after TSA pats down her vagina for wearing menstrual pad
A TikToker recently revealed that she was air traveling when an agent from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agent stopped and searched her vagina because she was wearing a menstrual pad.
TikTok user @rhivnnnon posted a video on Friday, September 10, with the caption reading, “And they thought it’d be ok to check that area in public?? Absolutely not. F**k this shit…” The clip has so far garnered over 14,000 views and 2,000 likes in 23 hours. Some of the other individuals who have made headlines after being outraged at the TSA include Diana Ross, Rose Montoya and Jeanne Clarkson.
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What does the TSA say about pat-downs?
On their website, the TSA says that their process of security screening keeps on changing and evolving, according to the kind of threats that present themselves as years go by. "TSA adjusts processes and procedures to meet the evolving threat and to achieve the highest levels of transportation security. Because of this, you may notice changes in our procedures from time to time," the website says. When it comes to pat-downs, it does mention the groin area apart from all the commonly searched body parts.
"A pat-down may include inspection of the head, neck, arms, torso, legs, and feet. This includes head coverings and sensitive areas such as breasts, groin, and the buttocks. You may be required to adjust clothing during the pat-down. The officer will advise you of the procedure to help you anticipate any actions before you feel them. Pat-downs require sufficient pressure to ensure detection, and areas may undergo a pat-down more than once for the TSA officer to confirm no threat items are detected,"
Even if travelers forget to ask, TSA agents are required to offer the option of a private screening if sensitive or private areas of the body need to be searched during a pat-down. "At any time during the process, you may request private screening accompanied by a companion of your choice. A second officer of the same gender will always be present during private screening," the rules state.
What's the TikToker's claim?
The video uploaded by the TikToker seemed to have been filmed in a hotel or airport lobby where she uses the TikTok digital voiceover to proclaim, “TSA checked my vag bc I have a pad on… I’m already v emotional and now I feel extremely violated. And to act like you don’t believe me is disturbing. What’s the point of the goddamn body scanners????” It is not clear in which airport this alleged incident took place.
This is not the first time TSA agents have been accused of being invasive and patting down the vaginas of passengers. Many commenters expressed concern over the procedure, questioning its legality. "Wtf that sounds sooo illegal… story time?” one asked. The TikToker followed up with details of the encounter in the comment section. “I did some digging and unfortunately many women go through this,” @rhivnnnon wrote. “After taking me to the room, I had to put my hands up and [the TSA agent] ran her hands across the area a few times, then they used this wand thing on both of our hands and I was cleared.”
