Illustrations by Richard Watkins / AJC
An AJC National Investigation
Still forgiven
The #MeToo movement and public outcry over Dr. Larry Nassar’s sex abuse have not reformed the system that disciplines doctors.
A new national investigation by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has uncovered 450 cases of doctors who were brought before medical regulators or courts for sexual misconduct or sex crimes in 2016 and 2017. In nearly half of those cases, the AJC found, the doctors remain licensed to practice medicine, no matter whether the victims were patients or employees, adults or children.
Even some doctors criminally convicted are back in practice, demonstrating that a system that forgives doctors — first exposed by the AJC in 2016 — has not changed. Continue reading
He was caught on video, but Georgia doctor kept his medical license
Her family and friends said leave it alone, but Lisa Miller had other ideas. Convinced that her doctor had sexually violated her during her last visit, she believed she had to do something to expose him. She also knew she couldn’t let it come down to her word against his. Continue reading
Still forgiven: More from Part 6 | April 26, 2018
Explore the series
Part 1: License to betray
Doctor sex abuse is tolerated by regulators and forgiven in every state, a national investigation finds
Part 2: Illness or crime?
In a broken system, doctors accused of sexual misconduct get treatment and return to work
Part 3: State secrets
The medical profession shields doctors’ abuse nationwide, leaving patients in the dark
Part 4: Failing grades
An analysis of laws and policies in every state finds huge gaps in patient protection
Part 5: Hurt that doesn’t heal
Victims suffer harm that can linger for a lifetime; some are willing to share their story
Full table of contents
The AJC launched its national investigation after a surprise finding from a story in 2015