By Maxine Bernstein - Oregon Live - 07/02/2024 - [USA] - [David Farley]
The lead West Linn police detective assigned to investigate extensive allegations of sexual abuse by local doctor David Farley was not qualified to do such inquiries and lacked basic knowledge of medical and legal issues involved, an outside consultant found.
Detective Tony Christensen, who joined West Linn in 2019 after retiring that year as a sergeant following a 27-year career at the the Portland Police Bureau, did not know what a pelvic exam included or what a speculum instrument typically used in a pelvic exam was, according to the consultant’s report. West Linn city officials admit they should have done better in their handling of patient sex abuse accusations against a former local doctor. Former patients of Dr. David Farley say West Linn Police and the Clackamas County D-A's office failed them, by not getting a criminal indictment against Farley. Results of an independent review presented to city council Tuesday night conclude that Detective Tony Christensen was not properly trained to investigate the allegations. Officials say officers will now have specialized trauma-informed training and a detective will be added for oversight. The Oregon Medical Board revoked Farley's license, and a change in state law makes it easier to prosecute doctors for abuse in the office.
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can contact Dignity4Patients, whose helpline is open Monday to Thursday 10am to 4pm.
Dignity4Patients Commentary: No investigation into sexual abuse allegations in healthcare settings, even by medical staff within the organisation, should be handled by someone without being sexual abuse trauma informed and an understanding of medical processes. Sexual abuse of healthcare users by healthcare professionals is a specialised area and required specialised knowledge, especially of power dynamics in healthcare environments.