Unsurprisingly, a news story that broke last week about a former Yorkton Obstetrician-Gynecologist being charged with sexual assault has had a polarizing effect on the Yorkton community.
Nothing is particularly surprising about this case. In April 2013, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan (CPSS) sanctioned Dr. Mohammed Haque for unprofessional conduct that included five counts of “sexually improper behaviour with patients.”
It would have been surprising if criminal charges had not been forthcoming eventually. Then again, it is still very difficult for sexual assault victims to come forward, especially when the alleged perpetrator is a well-respected physician.
There is no question that was the case. Hundreds of families in the Yorkton area had nothing but good experiences with this doctor as evidenced by social media response to the story.
Many also had bad experiences.
That yin and yang, of course, is the nature of most professions, but it is perhaps particularly so with health care. Our health, and perhaps even more so the health of our loved ones especially our children, is paramount and a very emotional subject.
When we posted the story on Facebook, the feedback was instant and hyperbolic. Some commenters responded with such vitriol, we had to remove the posts. Others vehemently leapt to the doctor’s defence questioning how it was even possible.
I should mention here that none of the allegations against Dr. Haque have been proved in a court of law and what follows is more a philosophical exploration than a commentary on this particular case.
The fact of the matter is, things are rarely ever black and white. People are rarely truly evil or wholly good. Just because a person is “extremely professional”, “well-loved”, “wonderful and caring”, and an “excellent doctor” does not preclude him from also being a rapist.
And if he is convicted of these charges, it does not negate the fact that he did a lot of good things in his career.
Society does have a particular loathing, however, for those who use a position of trust, power and authority to engage in this kind of behaviour. One of the biggest questions police get over cases like this is why it took so long for charges to be laid. Staff Sergeant Greg Nichol did not have an answer to that question at a press conference February 18, but it is often precisely because the person does hold an esteemed position in a community.
Victims feel ashamed. They feel alone. They don’t want to rock the boat. They have continuing need of their abuser’s services. They are afraid of the public backlash. They don’t think they will be believed. They may even have a hard time believing it themselves.
And that’s just scratching the surface.
And it’s no wonder they are afraid. Already the backlash has started against these women who have come forward. And they may have a very long and difficult road ahead of them. If it goes to trial, which it almost undoubtedly will since Dr. Haque is likely a man of means, it could be years just based on process.
When they do get to trial, they will be cross-examined aggressively if Haque’s defence team is worth its salt. Being on the witness stand can be a tortuous experience, just ask Lucy Ducoutere, the one victim in the Jian Ghomeshi case who agreed to be identified. Sexual assault victims often describe the experience as re-victimization.
On social media they will be called liars and much worse; it is already happening.
The question we most often get in the media is why we publish these stories before the defendant has his day in court.
I have written on several occasions about the public interest. Again, it is not about what the public is interested in, because a lot of that is none of anybody’s business and we will leave that to the tabloids and celeb rags.
Sexual assault is a scourge of society. It is among the most unacceptable of unacceptable behaviour. We must publish these stories, especially when high profile alleged perpetrators are involved. The police and courts do not press charges like this lightly. It is before the Court and therefore, it is in the public interest that we cover it, even if that coverage is unpopular.
