Claiming compensation for sexual abuse by a doctor
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When a medical professional abuses their position, the feeling of betrayal is all the more profound.
The heartbreak experienced by a parent whose child is diagnosed with cancer is impossible to put into words. In these difficult times parents place their faith in the specialist medical professionals treating their child. So, when one of those professionals abuses their position the sense of betrayal is immeasurable.
One such specialist, Myles Bradbury, a paediatric haematologist, has admitted to committing what has been described as ‘an appalling breach of trust’ against vulnerable children who had been placed in his care.
Based at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, Bradbury used his position of trust as a doctor and blood cancer specialist to carry out sexual abuse on his young patients. He pleaded guilty to 25 offences against children. These included sexual assault and making thousands of indecent images.
Rachel Thain, specialist abuse lawyer at Slee Blackwell and member of the Association of Child Abuse Lawyers, has expressed shock at this case:
“We trust medical professionals with the well-being of those who are dearest to us. We hold doctors in particular in high esteem, expecting (and invariably receiving) the very highest standards. Therefore when something like this occurs it is truly shocking.
Unfortunately, perpetrators of sexual abuse often put themselves in positions of trust and authority to allow them access to victims and to conceal their offences. I have dealt with a variety of cases involving assaults by medical professionals against both adults and children, but I never cease to be saddened by its occurrence.”
You can read a real life case study here about a vulnerable young woman who was sexually abused while in hospital and went on to tragically take her own life.