Gynecologist sentenced to ten years in prison for sexual attacks!

Gynecologist sentenced to ten years in prison for sexual attacks!

A gynecologist from France was sentenced to ten years in prison after he was guilty of sexually abusing nine of his patients. The verdict fell on Saturday in the Haute-Savoie department. A total of 30 women, including several minors, had filed a complaint against the doctor. The allegations include serious sexual assault, in which four women reported that he had penetrated them during their practical visits. Other women accused him of having carried out inappropriate "massages" of their genitals and studies in the rectal area, which he represented as medically necessary. The co-action lawyer Aurelie Zakar made it clear that the doctor's actions were "not medical but sexual in nature". According to Zakar, the women concerned can now “build their life” again.

The accused, who comes from Bonneville, denied the allegations throughout the process. He now has ten days to appeal against the judgment. This conviction is part of an alarming trend that is complained about in different countries when it comes to sexual misconduct in the healthcare system. An example from Germany shows similar developments.

abuse of patients in Germany

A gynecologist from Odenthal near Cologne was also convicted of sexual abuse by several patients. The Federal Court of Justice (BGH) rejected the revision against a judgment of the Cologne Regional Court, which originally dates from 2017 and is now final. The doctor had carried out intimate actions on women to sexually stimulate themselves and was sentenced to a prison sentence of two years and ten months. Due to the long period of proceedings, five months of this punishment were declared as already served.

These incidents are in the context of a comprehensive study that documents a high prevalence of sexual misconduct by health specialists in Germany. According to this representative observation study, up to 4.5 percent of those surveyed reported on professional sexual misconduct, whereby the perpetrators were mostly doctors.

alarming statistics and demands for reforms

The study that 2,503 people interviewed showed that 56 female and 17 male participants had experiences with sexual misconduct in healthcare. In addition, 28 female and 10 male participants reported sexual contacts with health specialists. A third of those affected were under the age of 18, which further illustrates the extent of the problem. Over 40 respondents complained of unnecessary physical examinations, and a significant number felt sexually harassed.

The results underline the need for changes in healthcare. Experts demand more prevention measures and concepts that should better protect patients. The study also shows that strong hierarchies and intimate relationships between patients and doctors are a breeding ground for sexual assault, since the power gap is often not recognized. These challenges were further aware of the #Metoo movement, which makes it easier to report on their experiences.

The worrying incidents and the underlying causes illustrate that there is further need for action to ensure the safety of patients in the healthcare sector. The experience gained must be used to develop preventive measures and to raise awareness of this problem.

The current events in France and Germany shows that sexual violence in medical institutions is a serious social problem that must no longer be ignored. Those affected earn support and protection to prevent a repetition of such offenses.