Utah OB/GYN sexual assault case heads to State Supreme Court

SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — In a position of extreme trust, Dr. David Broadbent is accused by dozens of women of sexual assault, and on Friday, many of them filed into the Utah Supreme Court for oral arguments surrounding the case.

“It was more painful than unmedicated birth,” Jenny Provance told 2News, saying Broadbent assaulted her in a maternity hospital room. “It was so traumatizing that I was shaking.“

Crystal Wylie said she was just 14 years old when she had an appointment with Broadbent.

“I do believe I was the youngest (victim),” said the mother of seven. “I’ve seen other OB/GYN’s since then; I’ve never had any experience like that.”

At issue before the state’s high court is whether Broadbent’s alleged actions were done in the context of administering health treatment, or whether he preyed on women "under the guise" of providing care.

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Attorney Caroline Olsen presented arguments for defendants including Broadbent, Intermountain Healthcare and MountainStar Healthcare.

Among other things, Olsen said Broadbent was doing his job.

“There is, however, a case where you have physicians who are ordinarily within the general scope of their practice touching patients’ sexual parts,” she said.

It would be different, according to the attorney, if a foot doctor did it.

But plaintiff Brooke Heath said the OB’s behavior was not okay.

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

The court took the case under advisement, and will issue a decision later, a decision that could revive the women’s suit dismissed by a lower court, or lead it toward a separate path as a medical malpractice case.

Broadbent has closed his Provo office, but his state license is still listed as “limited active.”

In 2News previous reporting, an attorney for Broadbent said the OB “categorically denies all the allegations of wrongdoing.”