Retired Massachusetts pediatrician, Dr. Richard Kauff, faces accusations from a growing number of women who allege that he sexually assaulted and raped them when they were children. The initial accusations surfaced when a woman sought clarification through a social media discussion group about routine checkup procedures, asking if it was normal for a doctor to insert fingers into a patient’s vagina during a routine checkup.
When the response to her social media post indicated that her experience was in no way normal, Kauff’s victim sought therapy, during which she shared her discomfort about these childhood visits to her doctor. The therapist immediately stopped the session and advised her to contact the police, leading to the exposure of a deeply disturbing pattern.
The initial police investigation uncovered shocking similarities in the stories of two unrelated women who had both experienced alleged abuse by Dr. Kauff. One victim claimed the assaults occurred between 1990 and 2002, starting when she was approximately 7 years old, while the other reported abuse from 1998 to 2008, beginning at around 8 years old. Both victims asserted that Kauff, despite the presence of their parents, instructed them to count to three before performing intrusive actions, using disturbing language to normalize the horrific behavior.
Expanding Allegations and Legal Consequences
The first accusations, dating back over two decades, surfaced in November. Since then, at least two dozen women have come forward. Kauff, who pled not guilty to 16 counts during his recent arraignment, now faces an increasing number of allegations, with the prosecution expecting dozens more charges to follow.
Kauff has been granted release on a $50,000 bail, with the stipulation that he remains within the state boundaries and avoids unsupervised interactions with children under the age of 16. Kelli Porges, his attorney, has labeled the situation as a “witch hunt” and expressed full confidence that Kauff will ultimately be cleared of the allegations. The next court appearance for Kauff is scheduled for January 11.
A Call to End Physician Sexual Abuse of Patients
An article published in the National Library of Medicine (NLB) titled “Time to End Physician Sexual Abuse of Patients: Calling the U.S. Medical Community to Action,” details the disturbing reality of doctor sexual abuse of patients. A 2016 analysis of data from the U.S. National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB), reveals that a total of 862 doctors had disciplinary actions related to sexual misconduct between 2003 and 2013. However, physician self-reporting indicates that these numbers are significantly higher.
The article also highlights a 2017 study of 101 cases of physician sexual abuse of patients which discovered that most victims were young females, most perpetrators were men over the age of 39, and the primary forms of abuse included inappropriate touching (33%), sodomy (31%), rape (16%), child molestation (14%), and purportedly consensual sex (7%).
As the legal process unfolds, the allegations against Dr. Kauff underscore the importance of ensuring accountability and protecting vulnerable individuals in healthcare settings. The case raises questions about the adequacy of existing oversight mechanisms and highlights the need for continued vigilance in safeguarding patients, particularly children, from potential abuse by those in positions of trust.
Contact the Personal Injury Team at Altman & Altman, LLP Today
If you’ve experienced the trauma of physician sexual abuse, seeking therapy and legal assistance immediately is essential for your well-being and justice.The compassionate and experienced personal injury attorneys at Altman & Altman, LLP are here to guide you through the process, providing the support you need with discretion and understanding. We can help you address both the emotional and legal aspects of this distressing situation and ensure that you are on the path toward healing and justice.