Sexual abuse initiative
principle 4: Respect, Fairness and Transparency
Complaints and disciplinary processes must ensure that all individuals – patients and physicians – are treated
with respect. Processes must be fair, impartial and transparent.
In acknowledgment of the inherent power imbalance between physicians and patients, and the challenges
patients experience in both reporting sexual abuse and proceeding with the complaints process, the College will
continue to support and empower patients throughout the College’s complaints and discipline processes.
principle 5: Public Protection
In fulfilling its regulatory duties, the College has a duty to serve and protect the public interest. Public protection
is the College’s top priority in relation to sexual abuse of patients. When a physician has sexually abused a patient,
the College will impose penalties that will ensure that individual patients and the broader public are protected.
principle 6: Public Confidence
It is essential that the public have confidence that the College is acting in manner that is consistent with its duty
to serve and protect the public. The College’s work must not only be done; it must be seen to be done.6
In relation to sexual abuse of patients, the public must have confidence that the outcomes of sexual abuse
complaints are just and achieve the goal of public protection.
Sexual abuse and sexual assault are issues that are important to the College. They are
also issues of broad social concern. The College is committed to doing all it can to ensure patients are
protected from sexual abuse by physicians, and those who have experienced abuse are supported in
coming forward to report the abuse. The College cannot act alone. In order to address these issues
properly and to prevent sexual abuse and sexual assault from occurring in society, a collaborative
approach is required. Participation from government, regulatory colleges, the private sector, community
support agencies, educational institutions and others is necessary.
1. For more information about the College’s Sexual Abuse Initiative, please see the College’s dedicated Sexual Abuse webpage.
2. Section 1(3) and (4) of the Health Professions Procedural Code, Schedule 2 of the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991, S.O. 1991, c.18 defines “sexual abuse” of a patient by a
member as: a) sexual intercourse or other forms of physical sexual relations b