WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for February, 1998: Re: Hurt by Gyn

Re: Hurt by Gyn - any advice?

From: anneminke (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Thu, 19 Feb 1998 10:19:35 -0600 (CST)

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Hello Kimberley, This is a gruelling story and although I don't know all the answers, a few things come to my mind: Why do people always seem to think that it is less terrible to be raped by a doctor than by someone of a lower social class? Rape is rape is a terrible invasion of your personal, physical integrety and should ALWAYS be reported. I do understand that it takes a lot of courage and strength and that that isn't something you always have available. Especially after being humiliated so intensely you feel vulnerable and do not wish further humiliation in court. But if your friend is afraid that this might happen to other women (and it obviously has in the past, so it most probably will happen again in the future) then she really has to try to get this out in the open. And she doesn't have to do that on her own. Maybe your friend could talk to that physician who told her about previous women. This physician could perhaps get her in touch with these other women. Together you can feel much stronger, and what is also important: more stories will make this a stronger case. Isn't there some (womens)organisation that could support and help her? Isn't there some sort of medical board where she can file complaints about doctors without immediately having to go to court? (In my country we have a Medical Disciplinary Board). I wish her all the strength in making her decision, but I really believe that something has to happen before many other women could get hurt!

-- Anneminke

At Thu, 19 Feb 1998, Kimberly wrote: > >Hi, > >I had a question that I hoped someone on here could answer for me. >Though it is not directly pertaining to a medical condition or problem, >I thought it was acceptable to ask here since it does have to do with >Gyn and women's health issues in general... > >I know someone (also in MA) who was raped by her gynecologist on her >second visit to the doctor. The incident took place in May of 1995, so >it's a bit under three years ago. She did not report it, and this >particular doctor shared an office with another doctor of hers that she >had seen for many years (an internist). (She found out afterwards from >a physician that was a friend of hers that this did happen on a lesser >scale to some other individuals by this same doctor, a little before it >happened to her. They also did not report it.) > >The problem is this - She has currently has to see her internist >frequently, and feels very upset when she goes because she sees the dr >when she comes into the waiting rm and the doctor sometimes stares at >her momentarily or glances at her and smiles. She does not want to stop >seeing the internist, but going to that office is very upsetting. >Sometimes she feels she is overreacting...but maybe its a normal >reaction from the stress of what happened? > >So what she wants to know is this - Is there anything she can do about >it? What would others do in her situation? She really does not wish to >involved in court or anything else like that but regrets not doing >anything and thinking it could happen to someone else...but has no idea >who to talk to or what to say. > >I'll print any replies I get out for her, and thanking you for your >time. > >-- >Kimberly >

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