For clients seeking medical advice or treatment, simply navigating healthcare is difficult enough on its own. This is made infinitely worse when our trust in medical professionals is being violated by inappropriate behavior.
This article will focus on recognizing potential red flags and situations of sexual abuse by doctors. We will also focus on what you, the client, can do about it if something like that occurs.
Let’s dive in!
What is sexual abuse?
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the definition of sexual abuse is as follows: “The infliction of sexual contact upon a person by forcible compulsion /or/ the engaging in sexual contact with a person who is below a specified age or who is incapable of giving consent because of age or mental or physical incapacity”.
And while the text might sound a bit complicated, basically, any kind of non-consensual sexual conflict (physical or verbal) is not appropriate. Even something such as placing one’s hand on another person (without consent) can be considered sexual abuse if the touch is of a sexual nature.
5 Signs of Red Flags Sexual Abuse by a Doctor
If you ever find yourself in a situation as described in the examples below, it’d be advisable to take caution.
1. Unnecessary Physical Contact Or Boundary Violations
Any examination or procedure of intimate parts of the body should be explained beforehand. If a doctor touches you inappropriately or conducts an examination without consent, that is a major red flag.
2. Sexual Comments Or Inappropriate Behavior
Sexual remarks or discussions of any kind (e.g., sexual comments, inappropriate jokes, suggestive language) unrelated to your care could be an indicator of inappropriate intentions and could be signs of misconduct/abuse.
3. Isolation Tactics / Lack Of Chaperones During Sensitive Exams
Sensitive examinations (e.g., gynecological or urological checkups) should have a chaperone present. If a doctor insists on being alone with you during those exams, consider that a warning sign.
4. Unexplained Procedures Or Frequent Unnecessary Appointments
Procedures that seem excessive or irrelevant to your condition, especially if they involve intimate examinations, should be thoroughly explained before proceeding. Also, if the doctor frequently schedules unnecessary follow-up appointments or prolongs the treatments without justification, it could be taken as a sign of grooming/manipulation.
5. Unwarranted Physical Closeness
Doctors are professionals and, as such, should maintain a professional distance from the patient. If a doctor invades your personal space or touches you in a way that feels inappropriate, this could be another indicator of abuse or misconduct.
Conclusion
Taking care of our health and our children’s health is important. However, staying safe is important, as well.
Identifying sexual abuse by a doctor can sometimes be confusing and hard to detect. Even if you are certain of it, for the average person, it can be challenging to be sure because of the complicated legality involved.
If you ever suspect you’ve been victimized by a doctor or any medical professional, you can always seek legal counsel/advice.