Sexual Assault by a Medical Professional

Being victimized by a trusted professional is a serious and traumatic experience. An assault by a medical professional might also cause a terrifying distrust of anyone who is supposed to be there to help you. You may be hesitant to seek further medical attention, or even to report being violated. You may have lost trust in authorities–medical professionals,  caregivers, business professionals, or anyone to whom you have entrusted your well-being.

You might even be asking yourself if you “made a poor choice” or “missed the signs.” But, especially in today’s world, that choice can be very difficult.  We rightfully assume a medical professional is just that, and is always acting in our best interest. Perhaps the professional was referred by another, presented a glowing persona through a website or social media profile , or is well-known in your area and an “upstanding community member.” Even if those outward appearances were misleading, what happened, happened, and it was not your fault.

After a sexual assault by a medical professional:

You can be sure of 2 things:

• Medical professionals who assault patients are very good at lying.
• Medical Professionals who sexually assault patients can, and should be, brought to justice once they are caught.

The truth is, these people find it easy to lie, and even to disassociate morality from their actions. A medical professional may be telling you that what is being done to you is “normal,” a “technique,” or “will be ok.” They may even believe it themselves, as in the cases of so-called “special invasive techniques” that have no medical merit.

Before I explain a bit about what you should expect during a medical procedure, let’s get on the same page. If you did not feel it is ok, it was NOT ok. Clear and simple: it is NOT OK if you feel or felt uncomfortable, confused about the purpose, harmed, felt the procedure or exam was improperly personal, inappropriate, or the care provider’s interaction was “not right.”

You have the right to be treated with dignity and respect during your medical visit. If you were not treated in this way, your feelings of betrayal, embarrassment and anger are perfectly normal. Recovering, emotionally as well as physically, after a sexual assault is a difficult time for sexual assault survivors. But you are not alone. Having dedicated my life to assisting survivors of sexual assault, I believe you, I stand with you, and I encourage you to take the first step in attempting to hold your perpetrator accountable no matter who they are or what they do for a living.

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING A MEDICAL EXAM

During a medical examination, your doctor or medical professional should respect your privacy and treat you with dignity in every situation. During a medical exam, you should be allowed to:

• change clothing in private,
• to cover body parts that are not a part of the examination,
• to understand every step of the examination and what parts of the body need to be examined, and
• to stop the doctor at any time you feel uncomfortable.

Your examination should be handled gently, and with a chaperone or nurse present in the room.

Your doctor should be:

• using gloves,
• properly draping areas not being examined,
• performing examinations from a respectful distance, and
• explaining what is being done at the time.

In absolutely no situation should the doctor spend more time than absolutely necessary to perform the exact procedure that was explained, go beyond the areas of concern, or become intimate in either speech or action.

You must be allowed to consent to every procedure and examination, and ask questions so that you clearly understand the purpose.  You also must not be presented with any sexualized language, inappropriate comments, jokes or questions, or any touch that feels inappropriate. Your examination should always feel clinical and professional.

You also have the right to ask that the door be left slightly open, if you are in an area where only clinicians have access to the room and you feel comfortable doing so. In any case, do not hesitate to tell the practitioner to “STOP” so others will also be made aware. In a proper medical setting, your concerns will be addressed promptly and without question.

If you were treated by a doctor or medical professional who exceeded the scope of your consent or assaulted you in any way, including sexually,  I encourage you to contact my office. Your brave decision to seek help begins your healing process. Moreover, by taking that first step to hold your perpetrator accountable, you are helping to end the cycle of abuse and protecting others from being harmed.

 

~ Sandra Ribera
Ribera Law Firm
California Sexual Assault, Personal Injury Attorney
(415) 576-1600