- Doctor in child abuse claim, fired over video find
- By Peter Rolfe
- The Herald Sun
- 26/04/2009 Make a Comment
- Contributed by: The Rooster ( 258 articles in 2009 )
A DOCTOR employed by the police to treat sexually abused children has been sacked over allegations he molested a young girl in his care.
The specialist GP allegedly assaulted the girl while giving her a physical examination for injuries caused during previous sexual exploitation.
The doctor, a forensic specialist, has been sacked since a fellow worker discovered video footage taken in February of the suspect examination.
Victoria Police is investigating the case, but it is understood no charges have been laid.
The doctor, whose name has not been released, was working at the Monash Medical Centre in Clayton for the Victorian Forensic Paediatric Medical Service at the time of the alleged incident.
The service - jointly funded by Victoria Police and the Department of Human Services - is a statewide support organisation for assaulted, abused and neglected children.
The department and police have been told the man allegedly inappropriately touched the girl, aged under 10, during a physical consultation.
The matter was uncovered after another doctor studied the examination in a random video review.
After discovering the alleged abuse in March, he alerted authorities.
Southern Health immediately stood down the specialist and notified the DHS and the Medical Practitioners Board.
On April 3 his employment was terminated.
A medical source said the allegations were of the worst kind.
"It's horrific," the source said.
"It's as horrible and unpleasant as it gets. This is not something you see often and especially for someone caring for a sexually abused child."
It is believed the doctor had been responsible for assessing and caring for abused and neglected children for some time.
DHS spokesman Bram Alexander confirmed the incident.
"After being advised by the Monash Medical Centre of a range of matters, DHS immediately referred the allegations to Victoria Police for investigation," he said.
"This occurred on the same day we found out about the allegation - we raised it directly with the police."
Mr Alexander said it was now a matter for police.
"It's up to them to investigate now and take whatever action they deem necessary."
A Victoria Police spokeswoman said investigations were at an early stage.
The specialist GP allegedly assaulted the girl while giving her a physical examination for injuries caused during previous sexual exploitation.
The doctor, a forensic specialist, has been sacked since a fellow worker discovered video footage taken in February of the suspect examination.
Victoria Police is investigating the case, but it is understood no charges have been laid.
The doctor, whose name has not been released, was working at the Monash Medical Centre in Clayton for the Victorian Forensic Paediatric Medical Service at the time of the alleged incident.
The service - jointly funded by Victoria Police and the Department of Human Services - is a statewide support organisation for assaulted, abused and neglected children.
The department and police have been told the man allegedly inappropriately touched the girl, aged under 10, during a physical consultation.
The matter was uncovered after another doctor studied the examination in a random video review.
After discovering the alleged abuse in March, he alerted authorities.
Southern Health immediately stood down the specialist and notified the DHS and the Medical Practitioners Board.
On April 3 his employment was terminated.
A medical source said the allegations were of the worst kind.
"It's horrific," the source said.
"It's as horrible and unpleasant as it gets. This is not something you see often and especially for someone caring for a sexually abused child."
It is believed the doctor had been responsible for assessing and caring for abused and neglected children for some time.
DHS spokesman Bram Alexander confirmed the incident.
"After being advised by the Monash Medical Centre of a range of matters, DHS immediately referred the allegations to Victoria Police for investigation," he said.
"This occurred on the same day we found out about the allegation - we raised it directly with the police."
Mr Alexander said it was now a matter for police.
"It's up to them to investigate now and take whatever action they deem necessary."
A Victoria Police spokeswoman said investigations were at an early stage.
Source: https://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25386488-2862,00.html
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