By Utah OB-GYN Dr. David Broadbent has been charged with forcible sexual abuse, marking a significant development in a case that has seen over 100 women accuse him of inappropriate touching during medical examinations. This criminal charge, filed by Utah County prosecutors on Thursday, represents the first time Broadbent has faced legal action beyond civil lawsuits.
The charge stems from a 2020 incident where Broadbent allegedly touched a patient inappropriately during an exam. According to charging documents, the patient had come to see Broadbent about a bump in her vaginal area. Prosecutors allege that Broadbent instructed the patient to undress from the waist down, but upon returning to the exam room, he lifted her shirt and bra, touching her breasts. He then allegedly grabbed her leg “in what felt like a sexual manner” before beginning a vaginal examination.
This second-degree felony charge carries a potential penalty of up to 15 years in prison. Deputy Utah County Attorney Tim Taylor has indicated that the investigation is ongoing, with the possibility of additional charges being filed.
The criminal charge comes after extensive reporting by The Salt Lake Tribune and ProPublica, which highlighted the challenges women faced in raising complaints against Broadbent. At least 49 women have reported to Provo police that Broadbent sexually abused them during exams, with prosecutors considering these cases for 18 months.
In addition to the criminal investigation, Broadbent faces civil lawsuits from nearly 120 women alleging sexual assault. One case involving 94 women was dismissed in September 2022 when a judge ruled it fell under medical malpractice law rather than civil sexual assault, a decision currently under appeal to the Utah Supreme Court. Another lawsuit involving 20 women against hospitals where Broadbent worked is still pending.
Broadbent has agreed to cease practicing medicine while the criminal investigation is ongoing. His attorneys have previously stated that the sexual assault allegations are “without merit” in response to civil litigation.
The case has drawn attention to the complexities of prosecuting alleged sexual misconduct within medical settings and the challenges patients face in reporting such incidents. It also highlights the potential systemic issues within healthcare institutions in addressing and preventing sexual abuse by medical professionals.
As the criminal case proceeds and civil litigation continues, this case is likely to have significant implications for how medical misconduct allegations are handled in the future, potentially leading to reforms in reporting mechanisms and oversight within the healthcare system.
Propublica.com
