LA TRINIDAD, Benguet—A nursing student from one of the prominent universities of Baguio City has filed sexual harassment charges against two doctors of the Benguet General Hospital here.
Rowena (not her real name), a 19 year old 4th year nursing student in her sworn affidavit has accused the two doctors after she felt that she was verbally violated within the hospital premises on December 1, 2009.
She narrated that on Dec. 1, she assisted in the operation of a patient who was to undergo a surgical procedure, where she assisted a surgeon and a general practitioner.
While the operation was ongoing, the surgeon apparently told her in the vernacular “do you believe that we made a book with doc (referring to the general practitioner) ? it said in the book we made that those assisting mastectomy must undergo examination because there is a possibility that they too may have a breast mass”.
Rowena was shocked since this question she said had a sexual intonation in it, however she just kept quite.
The surgeon according to the affidavit continued, “So Rowena, do you believe? Are you willing to have yourself examined by us after the operation?”
Considering that the first statement pertained to breast examination, the next question asked by the surgeon likewise pertained to his desire to examine my breast, again, such statement had a sexual context in it and I felt uncomfortable, intimidated and harassed, Rowena said.
More questions regarding who her father is were asked by the surgeon, Rowena narrated, adding “at this time, I already felt fear and anger with their comments and insinuations. But still, I held my temper because they were doctors and were considered to be among our training officers.”
Not willing leave me alone, the surgeon repeatedly asked, Rowena, do you consent? This question, Rowena said obviously referred to his earlier statement to have my breast examined by them, I did not answer him, I was starting to get insulted and intimidated.
On December 2, Rowena said despite her ill feelings, she had to report to the hospital, and was again assigned to the operating room, to her dismay, she was again to assist the same surgeon and general practitioner accompanied by another doctor.
Upon seeing her, the surgeon reportedly said, oh its Rowena. Rowena, could you stay here beside me.
I had no choice but to go near him because it was part of my duty to assist the surgeon, she said, adding, I tried to maintain distance from him for fear that he may again harass me. However, the surgeon instead said, come near some more, bring the table closer to my side.
While the operation was ongoing, the surgeon according to Rowena asked, “Rowena, will you consent now to have yourself examined by us?”
After the operation, after cleaning, Rowena said she went out of the operating room to bring the trash to the segregating area. While there, the surgeon reportedly saw her and said, Rowena, can you put down your mask? The operation is already finished.
After putting down her mask, the surgeon told her, your eyes are so beautiful, you are really beautiful.
The surgeon reportedly asked for the cellular number of Rowena to which she answered that she did not have cellular phone, angering the surgeon, incidentally, classmates of Rowena overheard the angry voice of the surgeon and told that doctor that Rowena indeed did not have a cellular phone.
Because of the circumstances which happened inside the operating room during my duty, I felt so harassed and intimidated that I had sleepless nights, I feared going back to the Benguet General Hospital.
My mother noticed my fear that she accompanied be to have the incident blottered before the police.
In a separate statement, lawyer Juris Karl Dacawi said, his client, the surgeon could not issue any statements as of press time.—larry madarang |
