Jane Doe S.P. was a 19-year-old college student and newly engaged in 2008 when she booked an appointment for a “premarital exam.” Such visits are unique to heavily Mormon Utah, can be similar to a first annual gynecology checkup, and are meant to establish a relationship with an OB-GYN before marriage and having sex for the first time.
“I had heard that women go to the doctor before they get married and get birth control,” Jane, who is identified in the lawsuit as ‘Jane Doe S.P.,’ told The Daily Beast in an interview. “I don’t think I knew what to expect.” Jane decided to see Dr. David H. Broadbent, a gynecologist within walking distance of her Provo apartment complex and whose office accepted her parents’ insurance.
But she claims nothing could prepare her for what she experienced in his office: unexpected, painful, and medically unnecessary breast, vaginal, and rectal exams. Jane is one of at least 83 people to accuse Broadbent of conducting these exams—without consent, and sometimes even after women told him they didn’t want them—allegedly for his own sexual gratification.
According to two recently filed lawsuits, Broadbent’s alleged sexual abuse spanned four decades, and some of the women were as young as 14 when he allegedly assaulted them.
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The accusers are not only suing Broadbent, but two hospitals where he worked: Utah Valley Hospital and Mountainstar Healthcare. After the accusations made headlines, both hospitals cut ties with Broadbent and he was forced into retirement.
The complaints allege sexual battery, sexual assault, and intentional infliction of emotional distress against Broadbent, and negligent supervision and negligent infliction of emotional distress against MountainStar and Utah Valley Hospital, whose parent company is Intermountain Healthcare (IHC). The suits also include causes of action for fraudulent misrepresentation and joint venture against all the defendants.
“Multiple formal and informal complaints were made of Broadbent’s acts of sexual abuse, but neither IHC or MountainStar properly responded,” an amended complaint alleges. “In fact, formal complaints made it all the way to the Chief Administrator and Chief Medical Officer at Utah Valley Hospital, and yet, over a decade later, IHC was still referring women to go see Broadbent at his private clinic.”
In a statement, MountainStar Healthcare said, “We sympathize with and fully support any individuals in…
Read More: Patients Reveal Horror Stories About Utah OBGYN Who Allegedly Abused More Than 80 Women