Lawyer says police, Utah County Attorney's Office 'ignore' women reporting abuse

SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — An attorney who represents a group of women alleging sexual abuse at the hands of a retired OB-GYN, said the women went repeatedly to Provo police with their stories, but received little attention.

"They were essentially ignored, shut down," said Eric Nielson, who has filed a civil case surrounding Dr. David Broadbent, who practiced in Provo, and is accused by dozens of women of abusive and inappropriate behavior in medical settings.

Nielson also wrote a series of "letters of frustration" to Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray urging criminal prosecution, saying the women carry "scars and trauma" years after their experiences---but Nielson said he's had no replies from Gray.

PREVIOUS REPORTS

• Utah OB/GYN faces allegations of abuse by nearly 50 patients
• Judge dismisses civil case filed by 100+ women against Provo OB/GYN
  

Thursday night, Tim Taylor, chief of staff for the Utah County Attorney's Office, told 2News dozens of cases linked to Broadbent are under review, and the office has now hired a medical expert to go over physical exams performed by the OB.

Taylor said that analysis takes time and is essential.

"We have referred 66 cases (involving Dr. Broadbent) to the Utah County Attorney's Office for screening," said Provo Police spokesperson Janna-Lee Holland. "The first was referred in October 2022. . . . We honor victims who come forward and encourage people to do so. We do not turn away any person wanting to make a report of assault. Each person making a report had their account heard, and recorded."

Holland said investigations into Dr. Broadbent are ongoing, and cases continue to be sent to prosecutors.

Last October, 2News spoke with women who accuse Broadbent of abuse.

"It was more painful than unmedicated birth," one said. "It was so traumatizing, I was shaking."

"He continued to grope me in a way that is definitely not consistent with a normal breast exam," said another.

In a hearing before the Utah Supreme Court, an attorney for Broadbent and hospital defendants, maintained Broadbent was giving medical care within the scope of his practice.

Nielson said his civil case on behalf of the women would not be helped by criminally prosecuting Broadbent, something Nielson said he's urged since January 2023.

"Do your job," he said of Provo Police and the Utah County Attorney's Office, "instead of basically putting up a neon sign in Utah County saying this is the county to abuse women and get away with it, which is what they've been doing."