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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think I might have been sexually assaulted?

50 replies

Thants1 · 01/05/2021 19:53

I actually just mentioned this in another thread and already had some responses but I’ve started a new thread here because now I’ve started thinking about it I need to know...

When I was a teenager, I originally said I was 14 in the other thread but I think I was probably actually 15 when this started, I was already sexually active and went to the GP to ask for the pill. He advised that I went on the contraceptive injection so I would go and see him every 3 months and before he gave me the injection he would make me completely remove the top half of my clothing, T-shirt, bra etc, and feel my breasts to ‘check for lumps’. Was this normal? It was in the late 90s early 2000s if that makes a difference.

OP posts:
Raera · 01/05/2021 19:58

No, not normal

TwinkleToeMatilda · 01/05/2021 19:59

No this isn’t right. Under no circumstances should he be doing something like that which is totally unrelated to getting an injection. Report him!

ArtfulScreamer · 01/05/2021 20:00

Where you ever offered a chaperone such as a nurse to be in the room with you? I'm no doctor but this really doesn't sound right to me.

lobster12 · 01/05/2021 20:00

Sorry this happened to you! It's not normal.

nonaomi · 01/05/2021 20:00

That's weird. The only doctor who feels my breasts is my private gynaecologist.

Original poster
Thants1 · 01/05/2021 20:02

On the other thread 2 people replied saying something similar happened to them which makes me think it was some kind of standard procedure for the contraceptive injection? It makes me feel really uncomfortable now though.

OP posts:
Original poster
Thants1 · 01/05/2021 20:04

@ArtfulScreamer

Where you ever offered a chaperone such as a nurse to be in the room with you? I'm no doctor but this really doesn't sound right to me.
I don’t think so but I probably wouldn’t have taken it anyway as I was so worried my mum would find out I was having sex.
OP posts:
billy1966 · 01/05/2021 20:06

Definitely not normal.

I do know of a "very respectable" GP who was struck off and jailed for this.

His poor family were genuinely devastated.

Apparently he was a right sleeze on the sly!

DifficultPifcultLemonDifficult · 01/05/2021 20:07

I'm sorry this happened to you op Flowers.

It sounds like he took absolute advantage of you not wanting your mum to find out and knew you wouldn't mention it to her.

Its not normal for that to have happened, and a male doctor should have asked if you wanted a chaperone or female doctor.

TheVolturi · 01/05/2021 20:07

How long ago was this? I was that age in the 90s and I remember going to the Dr with a really sore knee. I had jeans on. The Dr told me to hop on the bed and take my trousers off. I innocently took them off and sat there with my skimpy little knickers on, he turned around and nearly died of shock he practically threw a sheet at me to cover up! The sheet had been right next to me I hadn't even thought to cover up. So I very much doubt it was good practice to get a girl of same age to sit topless while her boobs were felt.

Original poster
Thants1 · 01/05/2021 20:08

I just googled him to see if he’s still practicing and he’s working in another country specialising in ‘adolescent health’

OP posts:
AnatomyJane · 01/05/2021 20:09

I’m 40. Was on the injection from being 16-26. This never happened to me. I’m so sorry you had this experience.

Original poster
Thants1 · 01/05/2021 20:11

@TheVolturi it was in the late 90s early 2000s. Went on for a few years.

OP posts:
Hertsgirl10 · 01/05/2021 20:13

This definitely is not usual procedure for any contraception appointment.
In fact I had our lovely family doctor check my breasts at age 18 and he asked a nurse to be in the room. He was really lovely about it and put me at ease. I mean at my request as I had a lump.

Hertsgirl10 · 01/05/2021 20:14

The job he has now is very worrying, would you feel comfortable reporting to the police?

user113424742258631134 · 01/05/2021 20:15

I thought the replies to you on the other thread were also people describing sexual assaults.

Original poster
Thants1 · 01/05/2021 20:17

I think I would need to ask a medical professional if there was any reason for this before I went any further with it. I’m not sure I would bother normally but seeing that written about his work now has made me feel like I should do something.

OP posts:
Original poster
Thants1 · 01/05/2021 20:20

@user113424742258631134

I thought the replies to you on the other thread were also people describing sexual assaults.
I don’t know, no one said they were sexually assaulted just that it had happen to them/someone they knew. Thats why I started a specific thread about it because I felt that I needed to discuss it in more depth.
OP posts:
HoulYerWheesht · 01/05/2021 20:23

Absolutely not standard no. If you’d like reassurance then see if you can visit your current GP and talk it through with them. They might also be able to offer some advice on where to go from here and signpost for support for you to use should you need to. Flowers

Nowhereelsetogo90 · 01/05/2021 20:23

I was on the injection from 18-22 and again from 28-now (31) and no one has ever asked me to remove any clothing other than to slightly pull down waistband of trousers to have the injection itself. The nurse does mine and it’s an in and out in 5 mins job. What this GP did sounds like assault and if feel up to making a statement he should be reported. I’m sorry this happened to you Flowers

RestingPandaFace · 01/05/2021 20:25

I was having contraceptive injections in the same period and there was nothing like this.

I am so sorry this happened to you.

EarringsandLipstick · 01/05/2021 20:27

My understanding is there is potentially an increased risk of breast cancer with contraceptive injections (not yet known).

So it's not unreasonable to conduct a breast exam.

But I wouldn't have thought it was necessary at each visit, should have been explained to you, and a chaperone available.

When I was on the pill (which has a risk of breast cancer), I was examined at each renewal of my prescription, by both male & female doctors. I didn't have a chaperone but this was the 90s, and it wasn't generally something that happened (in Ireland) at that time.

I see a doctor up thread doesn't think this is correct procedure so I would go with that but I think I would follow up more specifically eg with your current GP on what best practice is here

Queenoftheashes · 01/05/2021 20:27

No one has ever done that to me. I think maybe a nurse gave me a leaflet about checking breasts and mentioned I should do it but that’s it.

FuckingFabulous · 01/05/2021 20:28

I had this: not with an injection, but a creepy old GP that would try and feel my boobs every appointment no matter what I went in for. Ugh, it still gives me chills 20 years later

EarringsandLipstick · 01/05/2021 20:29

I should also say, when my breasts were being checked I also needed to remove all my clothing from my upper half of my body. So that in itself makes sense.

But it's down requirement, plus whether it was conducted appropriately & with due reference to ethical & patient safety considerations.