Psychiatric Sexual Assault Complaints Rising in British Columbia

Another complaint of indecent behavior was filed with the College of Physicians and Surgeons against psychiatrist Richard Golden recently. The complaint was also filed with the Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR), a social reform group that investigates and exposes psychiatric violations of human rights.

The complaint alleges among other things that Dr. Golden would hug his 18 year old woman patient on many occasions during which time he would have an erection.

Dr. Golden a child psychiatrist has already been stripped of his license to practice and was labeled a sexual predator by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia after they found him guilty of sexual relations with three other young female patients between 2000 and 2005. The psychiatrist engaged in kissing, fondling, masturbation and oral sex with one female patient in his office. Another patient was asked about her underwear, how often she had sex and if she was a virgin.

In the past two years five psychiatrists have either been criminally convicted, stripped of their license to practice or severely reprimanded in British Columbia alone, mostly for sexually assaulting their patients or for sexual misconduct with patients. One of the psychiatrists was sentenced to 18 months in jail for his criminal activities.

More than 230 psychiatrists world wide have either been criminally convicted or have lost their license to practice due to sexual relations with patients over the past year and a half. This is ample evidence that there is a very great risk of being sexually assaulted while in a psychiatrist’s office.

In February 2006, Dr. Larry Anderson, a Penticton psychiatrist was sentenced to 18 months in jail for sexually assaulting female patients under his care. The charges involved three former patients with whom he had sexual intercourse in separate relationships from the late 1970s until 1999.

According to evidence given during the Anderson trial, the Doctor once put sexual instructions on what a female patient thought was a prescription for anti-depressant drugs. The prescription read: “Take one erection and put it in an appropriate space. Do what is needed to obtain satisfaction”.

Following the issuance of disciplinary charges, Dr. Anca Ioana Bostinariu, a psychiatrist, has admitted that, given the nature of the pyschotherapeutic relationship, she was guilty of unprofessional conduct in hiring two former patients as employees. A subsequent review of Dr. Bostinariu’s practice by the College identified no concerns with respect to her competency or clinical care. Her name has been erased from the Medical Register and transferred to the Temporary Register, effective 2400 hours, March 30, 2007.

Psychiatrist Dr. Carol Elaine Davies. She admitted that she was guilty of unprofessional conduct with respect to her interaction with a former patient who was an inmate with Correctional Services Canada (CSC). In 2003, Dr. Davies provided pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy services in psychiatric clinics at facilities of CSC. Following the termination of such services, Dr. Davies visited the former patient/inmate on frequent occasions over a one year period. Dr. Davies admitted that her conduct involved the creation of a personal relationship with a former patient and that such a relationship was inappropriate and unprofessional given the nature of the prior psychotherapeutic relationship. The College of Physicians and Surgeons ordered (among other things) that Dr. Davies’ future professional conduct must be beyond reproach in every respect

In another case, Dr. Bacon, a retired Victoria B.C. psychiatrist, admitted that he was guilty of infamous conduct. The disciplinary charges issued by the College were that Dr. Bacon engaged in sexual touching and sexual intercourse with a female patient whom he had treated in the 1990’s. Dr. Bacon denied the allegations of sexual intercourse but admitted the sexual touching. Specifically, he admitted that he had the patient sit on his lap in the office, and sexually touch and fondle him.

Ordinary citizens would be charged, so why not psychiatrists? This question is being asked by the Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR). The complaint processes carried out by various Medical Boards and Colleges have been compromised in part by the belief that psychiatrists in some way above the law and beyond reproach and as a result they get slapped on the wrist for serious criminal activities.

Brian Beaumont, spokesperson for the British Columbia chapter of the Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR), said “Psychiatric sexual assault is a very common occurrence over the world, but all too often the perpetrator is only slapped on the wrist by being given a fine or suspension from practice for these criminal activities”.

The Citizens Commission on Human Rights was established by the Church of Scientology to investigate and expose psychiatric violations of human rights

If you know anyone, including a child, who has been abused or harmed by a psychiatrist call The Citizens Commission on Human Rights at 1-800-670-2247. Complete confidentiality assured.

Contact Information

Brian Beaumont

Public affairs officer

Citizens Commission on Human Rights

Contact via E-mail