Gynecologists who have been brought to justice for sexual abuse allegations in the country

Santo Domingo.– In recent years, several gynecologists have been brought to justice in the Dominican Republic following reports of sexual abuse filed by patients during medical consultations. The cases have been known in courts of different jurisdictions and have led to arrests, coercive measures, and convictions. The most recent case is that of doctor Wilbert Polanco Sanz, who was arrested following the complaint of a 20-year-old woman, who claimed to have been abused during a medical examination at a diagnostic center in the municipality of Las Guáranas. Due to said complaint, the Ministry of Public Health ordered the closure of the establishment while investigating possible prior complaints from other alleged victims and compliance with ethical protocols.

Lenín Quezada Fernández (2021)

Likewise, the doctor and former mayor of Licey al Medio, Lenín Quezada Fernández, was arrested in February 2021 accused of torture, barbarity, and sexual abuse against patients. Subsequently, a court ordered the cessation of preventive detention and imposed financial guarantee, prohibition from leaving the country, and periodic reporting.

Alberto Paulino Guareño (2017–2019)

Another similar case is that of the gynecologist Alberto Paulino Guareño arrested in 2017 after two patients filed formal complaints against him. In 2019, the First Collegiate Court of the Judicial District of Santiago de los Caballeros sentenced him to 15 years in prison for sexual assault, in addition to the payment of six million pesos in compensation to the victims.

Rafael Arturo Cid Cid (2017–2019)

In that same year, the doctor and lieutenant colonel of the National Police Rafael Arturo Cid Cid f was arrested in May 2017, accused of raping two patients. In May 2019, he was sentenced to ten years in prison and to pay compensation of one million pesos for each victim.