When you go to a doctor, dentist, therapist, or any medical professional, you’re putting your health—and your trust—in their hands. That trust should never be broken. But sometimes, it is.
What Is Sexual Abuse by Medical Professionals?
Sexual abuse by medical professionals is a serious violation of your trust, your body, and the law. It can happen during exams, treatments, or conversations when boundaries are crossed or consent is ignored.
While rare, these violations can have long-term effects on your physical, emotional, and mental health.
Let’s break down what sexual abuse in medical settings can look like, how to recognize it, and what steps you can take to protect yourself and report it.
What Should Happen During a Medical Exam
A medical visit—whether it’s for a routine checkup or a more intimate procedure—should feel safe and respectful.
You deserve and should expect:
- Privacy during exams and when changing clothes
- Clear explanations before and during any part of an exam
- A request for consent before being touched—and a clear why
- The option to stop the exam at any time
- A chaperone or companion in the room if you want one
- Exams done with gloves when involving private areas
- For your pain to be taken seriously
- Respect for your language and religion
If any of these basic rights are denied, or if you’re made to feel uncomfortable or unsafe, that’s a red flag.
What Is & Isn’t Okay During a Medical Exam
Sometimes, exams need to involve intimate areas of the body. But even then, there are clear limits:
A provider should:
- Use gloves and proper draping
- Limit exposure to only the area being examined
- Encourage you to ask questions
- Explain each step as it happens
A provider should not:
- Make sexual comments or gestures
- Touch you without gloves during genital or other intimate exams
- Refuse to explain what they’re doing
- Insist you fully undress when it’s not medically necessary
- Decline your request to have someone else in the room
What Sexual Abuse by a Medical Professional Can Look Like
Abuse can be subtle or obvious. It includes both sexual impropriety (like inappropriate comments or watching you undress) and sexual violation (like unwanted sexual touching or acts).
Some examples include:
- Asking you for dates or favors in exchange for treatment
- Performing an intimate exam without clinical need or your consent
- Making sexual jokes or comments about your body
- Asking unnecessary questions about your sexual history
- Touching your genitals, breasts, or buttocks in a way that doesn’t feel medical
Key Statistics on Sexual Abuse in Medical Settings
According to a 2022 report published by the National Library of Medicine:
- From 2003 to 2013, 1,039 physicians had at least one sexual misconduct-related report filed with the National Practitioner Data Bank
- Only 5–10% of victims report sexual abuse by physicians, making it a highly underreported crime
- In an analysis of 101 cases of physician sexual abuse, 89.1% of victims were female, and 60.4% were adults
- These abuse cases occurred most commonly in family medicine/pediatrics (39.6%), followed by psychiatry/neurology (16.8%), internal medicine (14.9%), and obstetrics/gynecology (12.9%)
- 85% of physicians who committed abuse examined patients without a chaperone
- 72% of physicians involved in “nonconsensual sex” cases lacked board certification
- 100% of physicians in the analyzed sexual abuse cases were male, and 92% were over age 39
- Between 1999 and 2016, more than 3,100 physicians were named in sexual misconduct reports made to state medical boards
- A separate investigation identified an additional 450 physicians with allegations in just 2016–2017
- From 2003 to 2013, 1,039 physicians had at least one sexual misconduct-related report filed with the National Practitioner Data Bank
Why It’s So Hard to Report
It’s estimated that only 5–10% of survivors report sexual abuse by a medical provider, which may be because people don’t always recognize their experience as abuse. Many people express confusion about what’s “normal” in a medical setting.
If you doubt yourself or worry that no one will believe you, know that your intuition matters. If something feels wrong, trust your instincts.
How to Protect Yourself & Speak Up
Here are some steps you can take before and during a medical visit:
- Bring a chaperone. You can stay safer by bringing a trusted person with you to the appointment.
- Change providers. Even if your appointment has already begun, you can ask for a different provider (or a provider of a different sex). Even if this forces you to reschedule the appointment, your sense of safety and comfort are worth the hassle.
- Stop the exam. If anything feels off, you are not obligated to continue the appointment. You could say, “I’m feeling uncomfortable, so I’m going to leave now”—or just walk out. Your safety is the only thing that matters.
What You Can Do
If you believe you’ve experienced sexual assault or abuse, you can:
- Reach out. Get support and resources from a trained support specialist. Contact RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline by phone, chat, or text. It’s free, anonymous, and available 24/7.
- Report your concerns. Discuss what happened with someone you trust, tell a hospital official, or report the medical provider’s behavior to your state medical board.
- Report the crime. Medical professionals can and should be held accountable for perpetrating acts of sexual violence. Learn about your reporting options and what to expect from the criminal justice system.
- Seek out a trauma-informed therapist. Look for professionals who specialize in supporting survivors of sexual trauma. Learn more.
You Deserve to Feel Safe in Healthcare Settings
Sexual abuse by medical professionals is a betrayal. But it’s not your fault. You deserve healthcare that respects your body, your feelings, and your boundaries.
Sources
(1) McIntosh T, Walsh H, Parsons M, Solomon ED, Mozersky J, DuBois JM. Responding to Sexual Abuse in Health Care: Development of a Guide for Patients. J Patient Cent Res Rev. 2022 Apr 18;9(2):117-121. doi: 10.17294/2330-0698.1881. PMID: 35600235; PMCID: PMC9022717.
Last updated: July 6, 2025