Physiotherapist is accused of sexually abusing patients in SP hospitals

Physiotherapist is accused of sexually abusing patients in SP hospitals

A physiotherapist is accused of sexually abusing patients who were admitted to hospitals in São Paulo.

The most recent case concerns a rape allegedly committed by a physiotherapist against a 28-year-old woman, on January 23, at Hospital São Luiz, in Jabaquara, in the south of São Paulo. The professional would have placed his hand on the victim’s private part, claiming that it was a technique to relieve muscle pain.

According to the Secretariat of Public Security (SSP), the case is being investigated, under secrecy, through a police investigation initiated by the 2nd Police Station for the Defense of Women (DDM). The suspect was subpoenaed to give testimony in the coming days. “Details will be preserved depending on the nature of the occurrence,” he said in a statement.

In a note, Hospital São Luiz states that the professional in question was removed from his activities on the same day, January 23, as soon as the complaint was received. “We clarified that he was an employee of an outsourced physiotherapy company and had been providing services at the unit for about a month.”

The internal investigation is still ongoing and cooperation with the authorities is complete, according to the medical network. The hospital also said it repudiates any sexual violence.

In turn, the Regional Council of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy of the 3rd Region (Crefito-3) stated that it became aware of the complaint in question and urgently took it to the knowledge of the board of the autarchy, which met on January 30 and deliberated on the case, determining the opening of an ethical process against the professional. The council also says it has carried out “diligences at the reported location and is monitoring the whole situation”.

The first case involving the physiotherapist would have occurred in October 2021, when the professional worked at the Hospital Maternidade Jesus, José e Maria, in Guarulhos, in Greater São Paulo.

According to the SSP, the case was registered at the 1st DP of Guarulhos. “It was investigated as sexual harassment and reported in February 2022. The Public Prosecutor’s Office offered the complaint and the facts are awaiting the judgment of Justice”, he said in a note.

The São Paulo Public Prosecutor’s Office (MP-SP) submitted the complaint to the Court, which accepted it, and the facts are awaiting judgment, according to the SSP. When contacted, the MP-SP confirmed that the complaint was filed on February 24, 2023 and is still under judicial secrecy.

The Court of Justice of São Paulo (TJ-SP) said that the process is being processed in secrecy of justice and, therefore, the information is restricted to the parties and their lawyers.

In a note, the maternity, through the Associação Beneficente Jesus José e Maria, a health care charity, stated that it regrets the occurrence and that it immediately provided care to the patient. “We disconnected that professional and called the police,” she said.

Maternidade Jesus, José e Maria also stated that it vehemently repudiates what happened and takes all preventive measures to avoid facts of this nature. “In 20 years of operation we had not recorded anything like this”, she concluded.

The State Public Defender’s Office said that, in compliance with its legal attributions, it acts in defense of the defendant Nicanor dos Santos. “The case is under judicial secrecy and, for this reason, it is not possible to provide more information,” he said.

There is also a third accusation involving the physiotherapist. This is a case of abuse against a 7-year-old child in Bahia. When contacted, the Civil Police of Bahia said that, because of the Abuse of Authority Law, it does not disclose information. Sought, the Court of Justice of Bahia did not pronounce.

Source: CNN Brasil