Imagine undergoing a routine medical procedure, only to wake up and find your internal organs have been removed—without your consent. This nightmare became a reality for patients of a local doctor, who admitted to removing ovaries without permission. Despite this, and with over seventy allegations of inappropriate sexual conduct levied against him, Dr. Shokouh-Amiri faces no criminal charges.
“Guernsey Police have again reiterated their commitment to taking action against anyone accused of committing a sexual offence against another person,” stated police, off the back of the successful prosecution of Mr. X.
Similarly, Mr. Y received a three-month suspended sentence, was ordered to pay £650 compensation, and placed on the sex offenders list for five years. His crime? Groping a woman in public.
Which begs the question: why has Guernsey Police failed to act here? Dr. Shokouh-Amiri faces a considerable number of allegations labelled “sexually motivated conduct towards patients.” Some of which he recently admitted to, including the shocking confession of surgically removing two patients’ ovaries without consent.
Going back to Mr. X, he was found guilty of sexual assault. Whilst in a crowd, and for reasons unknown even to him, he gratified himself on the back of the woman standing in front of him (and filmed it). For his crime, he received 18 months imprisonment.
Dr. Shokouh-Amiri, in contrast, faces over seventy allegations of sexual misconduct. Including not having a chaperone present when undertaking intimate examinations, touching patients’ intimate areas, and so on. He reportedly kissed a patient multiple times and asked for intimate details of her sex life. It is also alleged he asked a patient if she was “getting horny” and whether it “feels good” when touching her intimately.
Suggesting he knew what he was doing was wrong, Dr. Shokouh-Amiri told one patient to keep quiet because their conversations were private.
Although Dr. Shokouh-Amiri has so far avoided criminal proceedings, he recently faced a Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service. But despite substantiating sixteen allegations, including non-consensual ovary removal, the Tribunal astonishingly concluded that Dr. Shokouh-Amiri was a “low risk” to patients and therefore fit to continue practicing. It even defended Dr. Shokouh-Amiri, citing his “unblemished career” and extensive testimonials highlighting his clinical excellence.
Likewise, in sentencing Mr. X, the Royal Court noted similar points. Mr. X had no previous convictions and had been working in a “responsible job” until his arrest. The Court also considered testimonials for X. None of which got him off a prison sentence. Mr. X received 18 months imprisonment for sexual misconduct; yet Dr. Shokouh-Amiri, accused of numerous allegations in a similar vein, faces no criminal investigation.
“Sentencing had to be proportionate,” the Court said in relation to Mr. X. “While the effect on the defendant’s family had to be considered, so did the gravity of harm it would have on the victim.” So why don’t any of these rules or considerations apply to Dr. Shokouh-Amiri, his victims, and their families?
Doctors found guilty in similar circumstances
Take, for example, Doctor Stephen Cox, who was jailed for 22 years for analogous abuses during medical examinations of female patients. While Dr. Shokouh-Amiri, facing arguably more serious allegations, not only escapes prosecution but keeps his license to practice as well.
And what about Dr. Wayne Davis? He was reported to be a “highly respected” doctor but was nonetheless jailed after being found guilty of sexually abusing female patients. Davis is currently one month into his eight-year stretch, and now permanently belongs on the Sex Offenders Register. This is in sharp contrast with how Dr. Shokouh-Amiri has been handled.
Thames Valley police and prosecutors deemed Dr. Cox’s behaviour worthy of both investigation and prosecution. As with Thames Valley, so too with Manchester police and Dr. Davis. But not in Guernsey. Here, police have taken a different approach and, as far as I am aware, have shown little interest (more to follow).
Scrutiny needed (not censorship)
Which I find appalling. Dr. Shokouh-Amiri grossly abused his patients’ trust, women who should have been completely safe when visiting him. In my view, he preyed upon their vulnerabilities as intimate patients and abused his position to sexually assault them (and in two instances, maim them).
He wasn’t just a doctor though. Dr. Shokouh-Amiri was a partner at the Medical Specialist Group (MSG) from 2016 to 2019. Questions now need to be put to the MSG over Dr. Shokouh-Amiri’s practice, and how he was able to prey on female patients for so long.
Furthermore, certain Facebook groups have purportedly taken to banning and censoring anything relating to Dr. Shokouh-Amiri. One of Dr. Shokouh-Amiri’s victims told me that one forum in particular had been censoring this topic “since day one.” Coverage also varies between local media, some going out of their way not to paint Dr. Shokouh-Amiri or the MSG in a bad light. This has left many feeling that the true extent of the situation is not being fully acknowledged.
This is concerning. For it is essential that ethical considerations take precedence in cases like this, and for transparency and accountability to guide the way in how we respond. Yet, as is often the case here, ethics almost always takes a backseat in exchange for currying favour with powerful men.
Mulling over the topic of ethics, I immediately thought of the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” And I can’t help but wonder: if one of Dr. Shokouh-Amiri’s victims had been a family member of a prominent figure in our small community, would things have taken a different turn?
My heart goes out to the victims. Although many are understandably reluctant to speak out, the pain they have endured is undeniable. I hope that we, as a community, stand in support of these women and ensure that their voices are heard, and help them receive the justice they so rightly deserve.
Dr Shokouh-Amiri currently works as a consultant at Southend Hospital, within the Gynaecology Department. A petition to remove his medical license started up yesterday and has already gained around 3,000 signatures. Link here.