Sexual assault conviction leads to suspension for doctor

EDMONTON An Edmonton doctor convicted of sexually assaulting a co-worker five times has been found guilty of unprofessional conduct by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta.

Dr. Akadri Alarape will be suspended from practice for 15 months beginning Feb. 15, according to a decision released Thursday.

“The underlying conduct is reprehensible and is to be condemned in the strongest terms. Such behaviour is inconsistent with the role of a physician and can never be tolerated,” the decision stated.

The Dec. 13 decision comes after Alarape was convicted of sexual assault in May 2018. He received a sentence of 12 months’ probation and a $100 victim surcharge.

“The impact on the complainant was serious. As a direct result of Alarape’s conduct, the complainant was forced to quit her job which, in her words, she loved,” the decision read.

The hearing tribunal heard from Dr. Sandy Hershcovis, an expert witness, who gave evidence about rape myths in relation to the tradition of placing blame on victims for having encouraged sexual harassment. She said that the initial response from Alarape, who stated that the victim was the aggressor, was reflective of that myth.

Although the inappropriate conduct did not involve a patient, the hearing tribunal found that Alarape exploited a power imbalance between himself and the victim.

When he’s reinstated, Alarape’s practice permit is subject to several conditions, including: having a chaperone present for all appointments with female patients, telling all staff members about the chaperone requirement, and posting a notice in the clinic waiting area and in each exam room. He may not be alone with a solo female staff member in an enclosed space.