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Doylestown, PA Psychiatrist Charged with Sexual Abuse of Young Patients
A Doylestown, Pennsylvania psychiatrist has been arrested and charged with sexually abusing young female, patients; 2 minors and 1 young adult. His preliminary hearing has been rescheduled for mid March. This is a common tactic for defense attorneys who need time to investigate the case, the facts and the alleged victims.
Related News: Doctor Accused of Sexual Abuse of Patients
Preliminary Hearings in Criminal Sex Abuse Cases in Pennsylvania
Under Pennsylvania law, criminal defendants are entitled to a preliminary hearing. At the preliminary hearing, the prosecutor must put forth enough evidence to convince a judge that the case should go forward. The standard or burden of proof is not very high. The judge will only determine whether there is probable cause that a crime was committed and the person arrested committed it. If the judge determines there is probable cause, the case will be sent to the usual court system.
In a criminal sex abuse and sex assault case, a victim will often have to testify at the preliminary hearing. In some instances, victims will not have to testify, such as when the victim is a young child, and so long as there is sufficient evidence by way of physical evidence or other testimonial evidence.
The Problem of Sex Abuse by Medical and Mental Health Professionals
Medical and health care providers are capable of committing sex abuse. In fact, in a high profile case in Delaware last year, a pediatrician was found guilty of sexually abusing young children.
Sexual abuse is a serious problem. Abusers often continue their patterns of abuse until they are caught, and in many cases, victims do not come forward out of embarrassment and fear they won’t be believed. This is especially true in cases of sex abuse by medical professionals, such as doctors, dentists, etc., and sex abuse by mental health professionals, such as:
- psychologists,
- psychiatrists,
- counselors, and
- therapists.
Once a victim comes forward and reports the abuse, other victims often come forward as well. Many victims feel guilty for not coming forward sooner, realizing that had they done so, they may have prevented the abuser from abusing more victims.
If you or a loved one was sexually abused by a medical or mental health professional, please file a report with the law enforcement/prosecuting office where the abuse occurred. For example, if you live in Pennsylvania, and the abuse occurred in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, you would contact police in Cherry Hill.
Related: How can I file a report against a doctor for sexual abuse?
If you or a loved one would like a confidential case review with Guy D’Andrea, our firm’s sex abuse lawyer, please call Click To Call. Mr. he is a former sex crimes unit prosecutor who has represented many victims of sex abuse in the Northeast area, including Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.
