When a woman's virginity was challenged, the court might call on her to speak on her own behalf. A letter from Old Babylonian-period Mari includes a young woman's testimony in defense of her honor:

The "wife" of Sin-iddinam declared as follows: Before Siniddinam took me (in marriage), I had agreed with [the wish of] father and son. When Sin-iddinam had departed from his house, the son of Asqudum sent me the message "I want to take (marry) you." He kissed my lips, he touched my vagina—his penis did not enter my vagina. Thus I said: "I will not sin against Sin-iddinam."

Source: Marten Stol, "Private Life in Ancient Mesopotamia," in Civilizations of tie Ancient Near East, 4 volumes, edited by JackM. Sasson (New York: Scribners, 1995), 1- 485-501.