US Gynaecologist Jailed For 20 Years For Sexually Abusing Patients

Former New York gynaecologist Robert Hadden, aged 64, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for sexual abuse, facing accusations of assaulting numerous women, including Evelyn Yang, the wife of tech entrepreneur Andrew Yang, a former presidential candidate.

Hadden, who has not practised as a doctor since 2012, was found guilty of luring patients to Manhattan for examinations, where he sexually assaulted them, earning him the title "a predator in a white coat" from federal prosecutors.

During the sentencing, Judge Richard Berman described the case as "horrendous" and "beyond extraordinary" in terms of depraved sexual assault. After serving his sentence, Hadden will be under supervised release for life, as confirmed by the prosecution.

Hadden's History Of Abuse

Hadden's abuses spanned from the early 1990s to 2012, and he had previously pleaded guilty in 2016 to two state charges under a plea deal that allowed him to avoid jail time. This plea deal led to him losing his medical license and being registered as the lowest-level sex offender.

Notably, Hadden faced significant legal repercussions as Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC) reached settlements totalling $236.5 million with 226 of his victims. The settlements came after Columbia established a series of policies and resource expansions in the past decade to enhance patient safety within its obstetrics and gynaecology department.

Evelyn Yang's Ordeal

Evelyn Yang, one of Hadden's victims, bravely disclosed her experience in January 2020, recounting that Hadden assaulted her in 2012 when she was seven months pregnant with her first child. Initially, she had not shared the trauma with her husband, Andrew Yang.

In response to the shocking revelations, the case has brought attention to the need for stricter regulations to protect patients and prevent sexual abuse in the medical field. The sentencing serves as a significant step towards holding perpetrators accountable and ensuring justice for the victims of such heinous crimes.

Suggested reading: 9-Year-Old Girl Alleges Sexual Assault By School Teacher