Table 1 Characteristics of the studies included in the scoping review (n = 62)
From: Healers that hurt: a scoping review of media reports of cases of rape in healthcare settings
S/N | Author/ Publishing Media House (Year of publication) Source | Year rape happened | Country of reported case | Did the survivor report the case | Age/ Sex/ Profession of Perpetrator | Age/ Sex/ Status of Survivor | Where did rape happen? | Legal status of case |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Â | African region | |||||||
1 | Mathias Haufiku/ New Era (2013) | 2013 | Namibia | No information | 25/M/Nurse | 17/F/patient | No information | Arraigned in court |
2 | NA/PM news (2013) | 2013 | Nigeria | No information | NA/ NA/ Doctor | NA/F/patient | Ward | To be arraigned in court. |
3 | NA/South African Government (2013) https://www.gov.za/alleged-rape-patient-elizabeth-ross-hospital | 2013 | South Africa | Hospital authority | NA/M/Nurse | NA/F/patient | Ward | Information not available |
4 | Chioma Igbokwe/The Sun (2016) https://sunnewsonline.com/fertility-test-goes-messy-housewife-accuses-doctor-of-rape/ | 2016 | Nigeria | Police | NA/M/Medico traditional doctor | NA/F/patient | Ultrasound room | Information not available |
5 | Danielle Ogbeche /Daily post (2016) https://dailypost.ng/2016/05/12/how-doctor-raped-impregnated-ulcer-patient-in-lagos/ | 2016 | Nigeria | Police | NA/M/ Medico traditional doctor | 26/ F/patient | Consulting room | Arrested |
6 | Christine Chihame /Zambia Daily Mail Limited (2017) http://www.daily-mail.co.zm/mansa-nurse-jailed-15-years-for-rape/ | 2016 | Zambia | No information | 35/M/Nurse | 17/F/patient | Sedated and raped in emergency room | Imprisonment for 15 years with hard labour |
7 | Jenni Evans/ News 24 (2020) | 2017 | South Africa | To mother | 55/M/Doctor | 17/F/patient | Consulting room | Eight years imprisonment |
8 | Kenya Kambowe /Namibian Sun (2018) https://www.namibiansun.com/news/nurse-charged-with-hospital-rape2018-12-21 | 2018 | Namibia | Hospital staff | NA/M/Nurse | 56/ F/patient | No information | In police custody and denied bail (arrested) |
9 | NA /BBC News, Pidgin (2018) | 2018 | Ghana | Family and the police | NA/M/Nurse | - | Ward | Got a reprimand from the court |
10 | Jaafar Jaafar /Daily Nigerian (2019) https://dailynigerian.com/exclusive-how-doctor-sedated-raped-married-patient-in-sokoto/ | 2019 | Nigeria | Husband. Family lawyer involved the police. | NA/M/Doctor | 14/ F/patient | Sedated and raped in consulting room | Information not available |
11 | NA /Sahara Reporters (2020) | 2020 | Nigeria | Police | NA/M/Doctor | NA/F/patient | Consulting room | Arraigned in court |
12 | Nsikak Nseye /Dailypost.ng (2020) https://dailypost.ng/2020/07/08/two-year-old-raped-in-covid-19-hospital/ | 2020 | South Africa | No information | Unknown | 2/F/patient | COVID-19 isolation ward | Perpetrator not found |
13 | Lloyd M’bwana /The Marabi Post (2020) https://www.maravipost.com/shocking-south-africa-male-patient-raped-at-gauteng-hospital/ | 2020 | South Africa | No information | Unknown | NA/M/patient | Psychiatry hospital | Ongoing investigation |
14 | NA/ Rédaction Africanews (2023) https://www.africanews.com/2023/04/05/guinea-doctors-convicted-for-rape-and-death-of-young-woman// | 2021 | Guinea | No information | Four Doctors | 25/F/patient | Hospital. Battered to death | One doctor: 1 year imprisonment Two doctors: 15 years imprisonment One doctor: 20 years imprisonment |
15 | Malibongwe Dayimani/ News 24 (2022) | 2022 | South Africa | To relative who reported to police | 39/M/Doctor | 24/ F/patient | Consulting room | On the run |
16 | NA/Times Live (2022) | Undisclosed | South Africa | Nurse and friend | 34/M/Doctor | 34/F/patient | Consulting room | The doctor remained in custody until the court postponed the case to the following week for a formal bail application. |
17 | Tunde Oyekola /Punch Newspaper/(2023) https://punchng.com/doctor-rapes-nurse-in-kwara-suspect-remanded/ | 2023 | Nigeria | Police | NA/M/Doctor | NA/F/patient | In theatre under anaesthesia | Remanded at a Federal correctional facility |
| Â | East Mediterranean region | |||||||
1 | NA/Dunya News (2016) https://archive.pakistantoday.com.pk/2016/04/11/male-nurse-rapes-20-year-old-girl-patient-at-pimss-icu/ | 2016 | Pakistan | Mother reported to hospital authority | NA/M/Nurse | 20/F/patient with disability | Intensive Care Unit | Ongoing investigation and services of nurse terminated |
| Â | European region | |||||||
1 | NA/ Deutsche Welle (2020) https://www.dw.com/en/french-doctor-on-trial-for-sexually-abusing-hundreds-of-children/a-52754167 | 1993 | France | Child reported to parent in 2017 | 69/M/Doctor | 4/F/patient | Hospital | Detained and arraigned in court |
2 | Lawrence Mass / Associated Press News (1999) | 1998 | UK | Nursing home authority | 37/M/Nurse assistant | 24/F/unconscious patient | Nursing home | Detained and arraigned in court |
3 | Sue Clough / The Telegraph (2000) | 1999 | UK | Police | 38/Nurse/M | 33/F/patient | Accident and emergency. | Imprisonment of seven life terms. |
4 | NA/ BBC News (2010) | 2004 | UK | Police | 37/M/Nurse | 17/F/patient | Side room of accident and emergency department | Imprisonment of 9 years |
5 | NA/ BBC News (2010) | 2008 | UK | No information | 59/M/Doctor | NA/F/patient with disability | Hospital | Jailed indefinitely |
6 | NA/ WSB-TV News (2010) https://www.wsbtv.com/news/athens-doctor-accused-of-drugging-raping-patient/241836107/ | 2009 | Greece. | Police | 52/M/Doctor | NA/F/patient | Sedated and raped in consulting room | Five years on probation and forbidden from treating female patients while on probation |
7 | Wesley Johnson/ The Telegraph (2013) | 2013 | UK | Hospital staff | 29/ M/Healthcare assistant | NA/F/patient | Ward | Four count charge of rape and sexual assault |
8 | William Turvill/ Mail Online (2014) | Not reported | UK | No information | Senior staff member | NA/F/mental health patient | Repeated rape in ward | Imprisonment of 12-month, two-year suspension, paid £100,000 compensation in 2003 and 2004. |
9 | Eilish O’Regan / Irish Independent News (2016) https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/medic-accused-of-raping-patient-61-flees-country/35059432.html | 2016 | UK | Police | NA/M/Doctor | 61/F/patient | Radiology changing room | Suspended by employer, resigned, and left the country (on the run) |
10 | Helen Lyons/ The Brussels Times (2021) | 2016 | Belgium | Police | NA/M/Doctor | Early 20s/F/patient | Consulting room | 4 years imprisonment |
11 | Ed Wight/ Mail online (2017) https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4898382/Boob-job-doctor-raped-patient-breast-surgery.html | 2017 | Samara, Russia | Local media | NA/M/Doctor | 31/F/patient | Recovery room under anaesthetic sedation | Faces up to 6 years in jail |
12 | Darren Boyle/ Mail Online (2018) | 2017 | UK | Police | 47/M/Nurse | NA/NA/patient | Sedated and raped in ward | Imprisonment of 15 years. |
13 | NA/BBC News (2020) | 2020 | UK | No information | 52/ M/Healthcare assistant | 73/F/client | Nursing home | 11-year sentence |
14 | NA/The Guardian (2015) | Undisclosed | UK | Discovered video of incidences through a house search | 29/M/Nurse | 18/F/patient 35/F/patient Both were unconscious | Accident and emergency | Imprisonment of 18 years. |
| Â | The Americas regions | |||||||
1 | NA/New York Times (1989) https://www.nytimes.com/1989/03/09/nyregion/hospital-aide-charged-in-rape-of-patient.html | 1989 | USA | No information | 22/M/ Hospital cleaning aide 33/M/Security guard | 38/F/patient | Psychiatry unit | Charged with third-degree rape and third-degree sexual assault. Charged with first-degree rape and third-degree sexual abuse. |
2 | NA/NYS AG’s Office (2000) https://ag.ny.gov/press-release/2000/oneida-nursing-home-aide-convicted-rape-92-year-old-patient | 1997 | USA | No information | NA/M/Nurse | 92/F/client | Repeated rape in nursing home | Five counts of forcible rape in the first degree. |
3 | NA/The Washington Post (2013) | 2013 | USA | Hospital authority | 46/M/Doctor | NA/F/patient attached to ventilating machine | Ward | A decade of probation |
4 | NA/ABC News (2017) https://abc7ny.com/nurse-rape-alleged-raped-patient/1826944/ | 2017 | USA | Female carer | 27/M/Nurse | NA/F/Incapacitated patient | Ward | Charged with sexual assault. |
5 | NA/CNN (2017) | 2017 | USA | Hospital authority | 56/M/Nurse Assistant | 53/F/client 54/F/client | Nursing home | 23 years imprisonment |
6 | NA/NA/AZ Central (2019) | 2019 | USA | Not applicable | 36/ M/Nurse | 29/ F/incapacitated client | Nursing home | 10 years imprisonment |
7 | NA/CBC News (1999) | 1992 | Canada | No information | NA/M/Doctor | 23/F/patient | Sedated and raped in consulting room | Six years imprisonment |
8 | NA/Toronto star (2012) | 2012 | Canada | Not applicable | 46/M/Nurse | 71/F/client with severe dementia | Nursing home | 12 months imprisonment |
9 | NA/Loop news (2022) https://cayman.loopnews.com/content/doctor-arrested-sexual-assault-pregnant-woman-during-c-section | 2022 | Brazil | Not applicable Caught on camera by suspecting colleagues | 32/ M/Doctor | Undisclosed | In theatre under anaesthesia | Arrested and indicted for rape. |
10 | NA/Jamaica Star (2019) http://jamaica-star.com/article/news/20190906/15-y-o-patient-allegedly-raped-doctor | 2019 | Jamaica | Mother who reported to police | NA/M/Doctor | 15/ F/patient | Consulting room | Under investigation and doctor on the run |
11 | NA/Radio Jamaica News (2023) http://radiojamaicanewsonline.com/local/autistic-teen-patient-allegedly-raped-at-kph | 2023 | Jamaica | Mother who reported to hospital authority | NA/M/Contract staff | 17/F/Autistic patient | Hospital | Under investigation |
| Â | South-East Asia region | |||||||
1 | NA/ BBC News (2015) https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-32793520 Aruna Shanbaug case - Wikipedia | 1973 | India | Not applicable | NA/M/Sweeper | 25/F/Nurse | Raped and strangulated in clothe changing room | Seven years imprisonment |
2 | Lakmal Sooriyagoda / Daily Mirror (2022) | 2007 | Sri Lanka | Not applicable | NA/M/Doctor | 23/F/patient | Raped, in consulting room, strangulated and let down the building while unconscious | Sentenced to death |
3 | Subhangi Kumari Singh/ Zee News (2019) | 2015 | India | Police | 58/M/Doctor | 27/F/patient | Sedated, repeated rape in consulting room and blackmailed. | Information not available |
4 | Rohit Bhan/ NDTV (2016 https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/gujarat-doctor-arrested-for-allegedly-raping-dengue-patient-1456501 | 2016 | India | Uncle | 28/M/Doctor and a ward boy | 21/F/patient | Under sedation in the intensive care unit | Arrested but no further information available |
5 | Imran Fazal/ DNA (2016) https://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-doctor-rapes-patient-inside-clinic-arrested-2236206 | 2016 | India | Husband and the police | 38/M/Doctor | 29/F/patient | Consulting room | Arrested and booked but no further information available |
6 | Debashish Sarkar/ Hindu Times | 2016 | India | No information | 56/M/Security Guard | 13/F/patient who is a rape survivor | Hospital | Ongoing interrogation |
7 | NA/PTI, The Indian Express (2018) | 2018 | India | Father who reported to police | NA/ M/Doctor | 13/F/patient | Sedated, confined for three days and raped in clinic | No information available |
8 | NA/New Age (2022) https://www.newagebd.net/article/183920/doctor-held-for-raping-patient-promising-marriage | 2018 | Bangladesh | No information | NA/M/Doctor | NA/F/ psychiatric patient | Repeated rape in clinic | Arrested and awaiting trial |
9 | NA/The times of India (2022) | 2019 | India | Police | 44/M/Doctor | 19/F/patient | Repeated rape in clinic and blackmail | No information |
10 | Rachael Bunyan / Mail Online (2020) | 2020 | India | Not applicable | NA/M/Doctor and staff members | 20/ F/patient | Gang raped in hospital and murdered. | Ongoing investigation Perpetuators on the run |
11 | Shaju Philip/ The Indian Express (2020) | 2020 | India | No information | 24/M/Ambulance driver | 19/F/patient | In ambulance on way to COVID-19 isolation centre | Arrested. Dismissed from work. |
12 | NA /Antigua Newsroom (2021) https://antiguanewsroom.com/covid-patient-gang-raped-at-indian-hospital/ | 2021 | India | Not applicable | Undisclosed three employees of the hospital | 45/F/patient | Gang raped in COVID-19 isolation ward while on ventilator support before she died | Case being investigated |
13 | Anurag Dwary/ NDTV (2021) | 2021 | India | A doctor | 40/M/Nurse | 43/ F/patient | COVID-19 isolation ward but died | Arrested and awaiting trial |
14 | NA/ Daily Mirror Online (2022) | 2022 | Sri Lanka | Nurse | Undisclosed | 15/F/patient | Raped in the scan room. | Medical officer assessed and ruled out rape. Investigation continuing. |
| Â | West Pacific region | |||||||
1 | Tiffanie Turnbull/BBC (2022) | 2012 | Australia | No information | 58/M/Nurse | 11/F/patient | Hospital | Accused committed suicide |
2 | Wan Ting Koh/Yahoo News (2018) | 2015 | Singapore | Mother | 67/M/Doctor | 23/F/patient | Consulting room | On trial and faces up to 20 years’ jail and a fine |
3 | Kerry Kolasa-Sikiaridi/ Greek Reporter (2019) https://greekreporter.com/2019/01/08/former-gp-kyriakou-calls-rape-charges-stupid/ | 2016 | Australia | Police | 75/M/Doctor | 61/F/patient 52/F/patient 49/F/patient | Clinic Clinic Clinic | Information not available |
4 | David Weber/ Australian Broadcasting Corporation (2019) | 2017 | Australia | No information | 49/M/Doctor | 45/F/patient | Consulting room | 3 years imprisonment |
5 | Wan Ting Koh/Asia Times (2019) https://asiatimes.com/2019/02/gynecologist-charged-with-raping-sedated-indonesian-patient/ | 2018 | Taiwan | No information | 61/M/Doctor | 30/F/pregnant patient | Theatre under general anaesthesia | No information |