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Teenager told she had to strip by airport security to prove she was a girl

A British teenager has recounted a distressing ordeal where she was compelled to undress in front of airport officials in Egypt for a "traumatic" sex verification check after they doubted her gender.

Caitlyn Disley, 15, had just arrived at Hurghada Airport when she was subjected to the humiliating procedure by security personnel. She was instructed to expose herself to confirm she did not possess male genitalia, with her and her partner's family claiming they were barred from leaving the terminal until the invasive examination was completed by a nurse, reports the Mirror.

After the checks confirmed her gender matched the one on her passport, they were allowed to depart, but Caitlyn has been left with deep-seated unease from the incident. She expressed feeling shocked and "embarrassed" about the events that unfolded. Caitlyn noted that the only difference from her passport photo was her shorter hairstyle. Caitlyn remarked: "It was traumatising and embarrassing. I've never been put through anything like that before."

Her father, Tom Disley, 40, was keen to share his daughter's story to alert others to the potential for such distressing experiences in Egypt. Tom, a caretaker and father of six, described the ordeal as "horrible" and said it had profoundly affected her since their return to the UK.

He recounted the distressing ordeal, saying: "It's been a horrible experience for Caitlyn and I think it has hit her more now that she is back home. She was able to put it to the back of her mind while they were away but there was the worry of it happening all again at Hurghada Airport on the way home. Caitlyn is a tomboy but her passport says she is a girl, and the picture is clearly of the holder, shorter hair or not."

"Me, her dad, and her brothers have never seen Caitlyn in such distress. She had two males standing in front of her, saying they wanted to see parts of her body."

Tom, who lives in Wigan, Greater Manchester, shared that she had been eagerly anticipating the holiday with her girlfriend, Liv, and Liv's family. They had planned a ten-day stay at a Red Sea resort, hoping to enjoy some sun before school resumed. However, their trip took an unsettling turn shortly after landing on August 25. Tom said two officials singled out Caitlyn and demanded she 'strip' in front of a nurse.

He explained: "She, Liv and Liv's parents landed in Egypt and after disembarking, two gentlemen from security kept checking her passport then looking at her, but eventually let them all go through." But when their bags were last to arrive, leaving them almost alone, the same men approached again claiming they needed to check something. Amidst the confusion, Liv's mum requested someone who could speak English.

"They didn't have anyone but eventually got the message across that they needed to check she was female and she was taken into a room. At first I think the men themselves wanted to look at her intimately. But Liv's mum put her foot down and they found a female nurse. I've no idea if she had anything to do with the airport."

"She asked Caitlyn to lift her sports bra and then the message was conveyed that they needed to 'look down there.' Liv's mum said, 'not a chance', and they compromised by Caitlyn pulling her shorts tight to show she didn't have any male genitalia. Then they were allowed to go."

In Egypt, same-sex sexual activity is deemed illegal between men, with acts of "indecency", "scandalous acts", and "debauchery" criminalised, says non-profit group, The Human Dignity Trust. The organisation further states that there have been "consistent reports of discrimination and violence being committed against LGBT people in Egypt".

Moreover, this has included "abuse, harassment, forced anal examinations, and the forced payment of bribes". Tom expressed his desire to raise awareness that other British travellers might face similar incidents when travelling to Egypt in the future. The family have since taken their case to their MP, Lisa Nandy, whose team informed them she planned to discuss it with the relevant government minister.

Tom stated: "We need to get the message out there. Caitlin doesn't want this happening to anyone else. It could be a 10 or 11-year-old next. We are not looking to prosecute anyone. It's just we're against anyone else, especially children, having to face humiliation like that."

A spokesperson for the Foreign Office commented: "We do not comment on individual cases involving children but our staff stand ready to support British nationals overseas 24/7. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and UK embassies, high commissions and consulates can help British nationals abroad in a range of circumstances."

The Egyptian consulate in London has been approached by the Daily Mirror for a statement.