A civil lawsuit filed by nine inmates alleges that they were “sexually assaulted on numerous occasions” by a prison doctor who had no regard for their actual medical issues, according to an article in USA Today.
The inmates, all of whom are currently incarcerated at Sussex Correctional Institution in Wilmington, Delaware, claim that the doctor’s ongoing history of sexual abuse was well known by prison officials, and that their complaints of assault were met with ridicule, contempt, and retaliation from both staff and fellow prisoners. The doctor had been the target of a prior sexual abuse lawsuit filed by an inmate in 2008, but that lawsuit was ultimately dismissed.
According to the lawsuit, the abuse included unnecessary rectal exams, often performed without gloves, as well as fondling of the inmates’ genitals. Frequently, these occurred during “diagnosis” of ailments that did not even involve the groin or rectal area, such as a rash on the face; meanwhile, actual medical conditions went undiagnosed, as with one inmate who discovered he had hepatitis C only after leaving the prison.
The Sussex County prison has recently been embroiled in a number of scandals and lawsuits, including the case of a former guard who was charged with having sex with several different female inmates, and another guard who was suspended for intentionally sickening inmates by baking chemical cleaning agents into bread.
The inmates are seeking unspecific damages for battery, intentional affliction of emotional distress, and constitutional violations.
If you or a loved one has been a victim of sexual abuse, the law firm of Hodes Milman can provide you with the assistance you need during this difficult time. Contact us today online at verdictvictory.com or call (949) 640-8222 for a complimentary case evaluation.
