male instructor touching students - I voiced my concern

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Hi guys, I don't know if you remember that some weeks ago I posted a message here regarding my health assessment male instructor touching the female students during lab classes. Anyway, 98% of the students in my class are women from 19 - 44 years old, and at least half of us (maybe more) feel really uncomfortable with this specific instructor. Anyway, he can be nice and funny at times, but many of us think he is quite bossy and arrogant, and overuses his power making some of us feel really small. So I was already frustrated about this whole thing, and two weeks ago when we had to do the abdomen assessment, I was lying in bed and 2 other students were working with me, assessing each other. We had curtains around and our instructor said that we didn't need to wear gown, so I was lying there with my shirt on top of my breasts and my jeans opened. He came into the cubicle where we were, and he asked me to show my pubic bone. But I was feeling kind of uncomfortable, and he said: "If you can't find it, I will!" And he reached down my panties and started touching my pubic bone, not taking into consideration that he was crossing my comfort zone and didn't respect the fact that I didn't want him touching me. Then when he grabbed my jeans to drop even more I said "NO".. and he ended up making comments about my pubic hair, as there was no reason for me to be shy because he had seen lots, and he looked at the two students and said that eventually we have to be forceful with patients.

I just felt that my privacy wasn't ensured at any time. He again overused his power, compromised my learning, and then came back later to ask if I was ok. Then the next day, he phoned my house to apologise, but because I was already fedup, I phoned the other campus (same University) and talked to the dean of health sciences and explained to her what had happened and I was curious to know what his job description really is and how far can he go. So to make the story short, the Dean of health sciences ended up phoning the coordinator of the nursing program and told her that I had phoned, and the dean also talked to the male instructor.

But it seemed to me that after the Dean talked to the instructor, they were convinced by his version of the story, and I felt as if I am just being a whiner and although the said that they understand my concerns and changes will be made, I think they are saying that just to pretend they are supporting me. The coordinator of the nursing program who is a female, is defending him, and said to me that "he is a nurse and he did that to me, just because he was trying to demonstrate to me where my pubic bone is"

I still think he shouldn't touch us at all. But apparently he thinks that he needs to keep demonstrating how to do things. I also suggested us wearing shorts and tanktops instead of just panties and bra, but I noticed some resistance to the idea.

Oh well... I just get a negative vibe from him, and I am happy to know that he won't ever tough me again, but I really wish something could be done, so people wouldn't feel intimidated to go to his class.

Thanks for listening..

Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho.

I wonder if him being ina teaching position has anything to do with what may have been alleged where he worked as a RN previously? Interesting huh? Maybe he isnt so unfamiliar with having people feel uncomfortable.

Would be interesting to find out if he is actually practicing at a LTC or hosiptal.

Specializes in ER.

There is absolutely NO WAY thatwhat he did should be swept aside, apology or no apology. You gave the nursing school a chance to deal with the issue, and they didn't (I really knew they would circle the wagons on this one). Report the whole situation to the nursing board naming your witnesses, the instructor and who you approached about it, and what they did. Name names, and just watch and see how fast the story changes. Let them do the work for you re investigating and gathering witnesses, that is their job.

I don't blame you for being uncomfortable around this man during class. I'm disgusted with your classmates that still treat him like a respectable person. Be very clear when he approaches your group that he is NOT going to touch you, not for and abdominal exam, not for a manicure. If he dares to cross the line with anyone else let it be known that you will stand with them during the complaint process. Be strong, be angry, and visualize grinding his smarmy face under your delicate high heels.

what we have here is a case of sexual assault. that man has no right to assume he can touch a student of his anywhere. i was trying to see if it was possible that there was some kind of misunderstanding or that maybe it was possible he didn't intentionally try to violate mmh_bc. but no matter how i looked at it, i just couldn't see how he could so grossly misrepresent his position and claim ignorance or anything of the sort. it's clear he committed a crime here.

mmh_bc, i'm really glad you're standing up for yourself. i know it can't be easy. it's never easy to be the one to rock the boat! it's too bad that more people aren't just like you!

Specializes in Acute Medicine/ Palliative.

Battery is by definition ANY form of touching (bad or acceptable) that has taken place without permission from the person BEFORE doing so. Battery does NOT have to have internt to harm, but it is touching of any kind without permission.

OH MY GOSH!!! :eek: I can't believe this pervert still has a job. And they're sticking up for him? All I can say is shame on all of them! I cannot believe you still have to see this man everyday. Like someone else said, the fact that he called you AT HOME to apologize proves he knows what he did was WRONG. I don't care if you sometimes do have to be forceful with patients, hasn't he ever heard of patients rights???? Anyone can refuse anything at anytime, unless ofcourse they can't think for themselves....obviously. If he was forceful with me I would have, well it wouldn't be pretty to say the least. I'd hate to see how he treated the sick or elderly. :uhoh21: What a SICKO!

I'm truly sorry you had to go through that humiliating and violating experience. I wouldn't stop trying to get something done. You did the right thing. :flowersfo

Specializes in Urgent Care.

He is far far out of line, that is certainly sexual harrasment, it may be sexual battery do, he was trying to undress you against your will.

and the comment "that eventually we have to be forceful with patients" is completely asinine. you dont "force" pt's to do anything. a nurse would certainly be explaining what needed done, and making sure the pt was comfortable and consenting of the exam/Tx. I dont think anyone would be trying to rip a pt's pants off. the school cant really be teaching this. it is just this wacko's way of trying to get others to condone his behavior.

Like the others said, dont drop it. Get a free consult with an atty, most will give 1/2 to 1 hr free; Report him to the BON, and wherever else you can; keep reporting to the school administration, up the chain, all the way to the Head Dean or college president; report it to the schools legal department too.

and like I have been learning here, document document document. even a journal starting with this incident and all calls / responses you have made / received. It's called "a contemporaneos record" and is a legal document.

I suggest you put your concerns and his actions, in writing, to your department head and the college president. Also inform them if an investigation is not undertaken, within seven business days you will file a complaint with your local police department. In fact, file one anyway. He is being totally inappropriate and has committed battery, as a law enforcement officer will tell you. You need to protect yourself. Try any get anyone else who has been inappropriately touched to join you.

Good luck

Grannynurse:balloons:

Total pervert!!! My class always seperated men and women for these kinds of demonstrations and this included instructors. There is already a lot of advice to chew over so all I'll say is good luck in school. Don't let this jerk affect your goals!

That is a damn outrage!

I just remembered something. Check at your school, because at my school there is an independent attorney for the students. We have to pay a small fee every semester, I am sure it is less than $10, but we have access to the lawyer. Hopefully your school has a similar program.

I am just wondering if there is anyone else here from British Columbia or Canada?? You guys in the US seem so brave, just like I am.. but it is really frustrating not to have enough support here. This small town sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!:madface:

I doubt the college has a lawyer for the students, but I will find out next week for sure. Thank you for the suggestion. :cool:

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