ILLNESS OR CRIME?

Doctors who sexually abuse patients often able to quietly retire to avoid punishment

Last month, we revealed alarming findings — exposed and vulnerable patients in every state have been sexually violated by their doctors. Yet all too often, those doctors have gotten second chances.

Beginning today, Part Two of our series reveals that doctors who sexually abuse patients are routinely viewed as having “impairment” issues and may not be reported to law enforcement.

Some doctors with egregious violations are able to redeem themselves through treatment programs and return to practice, while others quietly retire. As a result, many avoid criminal charges at a time when society demands punishment for most sex offenders, whether they are college students, teachers or priests.

“Too often, I think, it’s cronyism,” said Pauline Trumpi, who was raped by her psychiatrist in 1963. “It takes a lot of money and it takes a long time to become a doctor. So they feel empathy for the doctor rather than the victim.”

You can see our findings at ajc.com/ doctors. A full report will appear in your newspaper, beginning Friday.

These findings, while disturbing, are important. We hope they start a national conversation that will lead to better ways to protect patients.

None of this would be possible without the support of readers like you who buy or subscribe to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

ILLUSTRATIONS BY RICHARD WATKINS