Athletes deal with trials and tribulations each day, from injuries to intense expectations. On top of all that, they shouldn’t have to face sexual abuse in a medical setting, but many do. Sexual abuse in a sports medicine setting is far more common than one would think, because the role gives doctors unusual access and authority over patients they’re supposed to treat. When athletes experience sexual abuse by team doctors, they can feel violated and unsure of what to do next. But they should know there are people in their corner, and avenues they can take to pursue justice. Let’s discuss them here.
Sexual abuse by team doctors isn’t incredibly common, but it happens more than people think, and it often goes unreported or uninvestigated. Take the case of Larry Nassar, who sexually abused girls and young women for years while working in elite sports before the full scope became public. His case drew national attention because of the number of survivors, the institutions involved, and the length of time the abuse continued before meaningful action followed.
But those fairly high-profile cases came out of major sports systems with national visibility. Many other athletes face abuse in quieter settings and never get the same public attention because the allegations involve a smaller school, a lesser-known club, a local program, or a doctor with far less public scrutiny. Because so many cases stay hidden, it’s difficult to measure the true scope of sexual abuse by team doctors, but public cases and survivor reports make clear that it does happen.
So, why does sexual abuse by team doctors happen? These figures commit abuse for many of the same reasons anyone else does: entitlement, access, and a belief they won’t be stopped.
But certain features of sports culture make it much easier for a team doctor to perpetuate this kind of abuse than your average physician. The role comes with built-in authority, repeated physical contact, and an environment where athletes are expected to comply. Those conditions can make misconduct look medical when it isn’t. They can also make athletes question themselves instead of the person crossing the line.
The role of team doctor carries status, and athletes are taught to respect it. When a doctor speaks with certainty, an athlete may assume the exam or touching has a medical purpose, even when it doesn’t. Abuse becomes easier to hide when the person causing harm already has built-in credibility.
Sports medicine creates repeated contact behind closed doors. An athlete may see the same doctor during treatment, rehab, travel, or follow-up care. Repetition can normalize conduct that should never feel routine. An abusive doctor can use proximity and familiarity to push boundaries without drawing immediate attention.
Athletes can feel enormous pressure to stay silent if speaking up could put their future at risk. A young woman may worry a complaint will affect her standing on the team, her scholarship, her playing time, or her path forward in the sport. That can keep athletes quiet even when they know something was wrong.
Abuse lasts longer when the adults in charge fail to intervene. A school or sports organization may miss warning signs, dismiss complaints, or protect its own reputation before protecting athletes. Once that happens, a doctor can keep operating in the same space without real scrutiny.
If you feel like you’ve experienced sexual abuse by a team doctor, what options do you have if you want to pursue justice? The answer is more expansive than many people expect, but you should speak with a sexual abuse lawyer early so you can evaluate your options and protect yourself from retaliation, pressure, or attempts to discredit you. Below are some of the most common avenues for survivors. A lawyer can help you decide which path fits the facts of your case.
A civil lawsuit is a private claim brought in court for the harm caused by the abuse. It can be filed against the doctor and, in the right case, against an institution connected to what happened. This route focuses on proving liability and seeking financial recovery for the survivor’s losses. It moves through the civil court system, where both sides exchange evidence and argue the case before a settlement or trial.
A criminal case begins when the abuse is reported to law enforcement and prosecutors review the facts to decide whether charges should be filed. The government controls this process, not the survivor. If charges are brought, the case can move through investigation, formal prosecution, and court proceedings. Its purpose is to determine whether the doctor committed a crime and should face criminal penalties.
A licensing complaint is a report made to the medical board that oversees the doctor’s license. This process asks the board to examine whether the doctor violated professional rules or ethical standards. The board can gather records, review the allegations, and conduct its own inquiry. If it finds misconduct, it can discipline the doctor’s license.
An institutional claim focuses on whether an organization played a role in allowing the abuse to happen or continue. The case examines what the institution knew about the doctor, how it responded to warning signs, and whether it failed to protect athletes in its care. This type of claim centers on the organization’s conduct rather than only the doctor’s actions. It can be brought alongside a case against the doctor or as part of the same lawsuit.
OBGYN sexual abuse in a medical setting, while uncommon, is still more widespread than many people would think, and it can have lasting impacts on the women who experience it.
If you’re an athlete that’s experienced abuse at the hands of a team doctor and want to seek justice, you need a skilled lawyer on your side. Tamara N. Holder has worked for decades to help survivors in similar situations. With decades of experience in doctor sexual abuse cases, Holder can evaluate your situation and help you take action. Reach out today for compassionate, personalized, trauma-informed support as you fight for accountability.
