Dr. Barry Brock, a former OB/GYN at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, is facing multiple allegations of sexual misconduct by former patients, including rape, genital mutilation, criminal sexual acts, forcible touching and molestation, unnecessary medical procedures, and predatory sexual assault. These accusations have resulted in 60+ personal injury lawsuits being filed in recent months by dozens of his victims.
This story has also raised serious concerns about the safety and ethics within the medical community. Cedars-Sinai Medical Center is being accused of failing to act on the many complaints about Dr. Brock, leading to conversations about an institution's role in patient safety and systemic changes in the handling of complaints of sex abuse in healthcare.
Initially, 35 patients filed lawsuits against Dr. Brock and Cedars-Sinai in the state of California: later, another 25 joined the lawsuit. Many more lawsuits are expected, considering he was an OBGYN for over 40 years. All four decades of Brock's career were at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where he completed his residency in 1981 and worked until his retirement in August 2024. This is substantial because often, these crimes are hidden by moving from hospital to hospital once the predatory starts to experience some heat.
This article explores who OBGYN Dr. Barry Brock is, the nature of the allegations, implications for both his former female patients and the institutions involved, and information on how you can get justice if you were the victim of Dr. Brock by contacting an OBGYN Sexual Abuse Lawyer.
Who is Dr. Barry J. Brock?
Dr. Barry J. Brock is a former OB/GYN at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, now facing numerous sexual abuse lawsuits. With over four decades of experience in obstetrics and gynecology, Dr. Brock was a well-known figure in the medical community. His long tenure at Cedars-Sinai, spanning more than 40 years, cemented his reputation as a trusted healthcare provider.
Dr. Brock completed his residency training at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where he was affiliated with specialized centers focusing on women’s health. Throughout his career, he was considered a dedicated professional, making the current allegations all the more shocking. The trust his patients and colleagues placed in him completely contrasts with the serious and foul claims that have emerged against Brock.
The accusations against Dr. Brock have pulled back the curtain on a deeply troubling aspect of medical practice, highlighting the vulnerability of patients in such settings. Understanding both his professional background and the gravity of the allegations he faces is crucial as the investigation continues.
Sexual Misconduct Allegations Against Dr. Barry Brock
Dr. Barry J. Brock, a former obstetrician-gynecologist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, faces multiple allegations from former patients in the recent lawsuit filings, including:
- Inappropriate Comments: Making vulgar and sexually suggestive remarks during medical appointments, often in the presence of patients' partners.
- Unnecessary Medical Procedures: Performing unwarranted and invasive procedures, such as "vaginal rejuvenation," without patient consent.
- Performing Unnecessary Sutures: Administering unwarranted sutures after childbirth, sometimes referred to as "extra stitches" for cosmetic reasons.
- Inappropriate Physical Contact: Engaging in non-consensual touching during routine examinations, including breast and pelvic exams.
- Negligent Medical Care: Exhibiting negligence during critical care moments that endangered the mother and child's lives.
- Forceful Use of Medical Instruments: Applying medical instruments during exams in a manner described as forceful and violent.
- Rape: In this context, involves the non-consensual sexual acts committed by a doctor against patients who are vulnerable during medical examinations or procedures.
- Predatory sexual assault: Intentional and unlawful act of coercing or forcing a patient into sexual activity against their will, usually with manipulation, deceit, or the exploitation of a victim's vulnerability.
A Closer Look at the Allegations Against Brock
These allegations have led to multiple lawsuits against Dr. Brock and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, with plaintiffs accusing the institution of failing to act on numerous complaints over the years.
Dr. Barry Brock faces a litany of allegations from former patients, including inappropriate comments, unnecessary pelvic exams, and non-consensual touching. These complaints paint a disturbing picture of a trusted medical professional exploiting his position.
Numerous patients reported unacceptable physical contact during routine exams, like breast and pelvic exams—some of which were conducted without their consent in the first place. These actions were invasive and non-consensual and will leave the victims with lasting emotional and psychological scars. This is why justice and compensation are so important to these women and our society as a whole.
Many women have accused Dr. Brock of making vulgar and sexually suggestive comments during appointments, often in the presence of their partners. Survivors describe instances where he commented on their physical appearance during medical visits, adding to their discomfort and sense of violation.
Some patients reported being subjected to unnecessary medical procedures and invasive examinations without their consent, indicating that the allegations are not limited to verbal misconduct.
Numerous accounts detail inappropriate touching and dismissive behavior during appointments. Several patients felt compelled to have a chaperone present during their appointments with Dr. Brock due to his behavior.
Unwarranted vaginal examinations and procedures, such as “vaginal rejuvenation,” were performed without patient consent, further highlighting the severity of the allegations. The majority of plaintiffs are women who sought medical care during extremely vulnerable points in their lives, like pregnancy, labor, or after giving birth, making his breach of trust and exploitation even more horrendous and gross.
These allegations not only reflect individual experiences of actual sexual abuse but also raise broader concerns about the safety and trustworthiness of medical professionals, particularly in cases of threatened or actual abuse. The emotional and psychological impact on the victims is profound, and the need for systemic change in how complaints are handled is evident.
Continue reading to see why data on the sexual abuse of patients is almost non-existent.
Disturbing Specific Instances of Abuse
Anthony DiPietro said that based on what he heard, "[Brock] seemed to enjoy inflicting pain in various ways."
Arias, the other lawyer for the plaintiffs, said he heard stories of "Inappropriate questions, inappropriate comments, unnecessary tests, performing exams without gloves."
*Trigger warning* Dr. Brock allegedly told a patient, "You have perfect breasts. Does your husband tell you that?"
In another exam, a different plaintiff alleges that Dr. Brock entered her labor and delivery room with his penis erect and placed her foot on it. Eww!
The suit also accuses Dr. Brock of performing "vaginal rejuvenations" post-childbirth without consent by promising to "sew her up virgin tight."
Why Is There No Data on the Sexual Abuse of Female Patients by Healthcare Providers?
When it comes to trying to understand how common sexual assault by physicians against patients is, it is damn near impossible for two very obvious and frustrating reasons: how reporting of incidents within medical facilities works and the fear of reporting by patients.
While ethical standards among doctors, medical facilities, and healthcare workers in general are usually very high and unequivocally condemn such behavior, the systems in place to track and address these offenses are beyond unacceptable.
Self-Reporting Bias
- Most of the data we have comes from physicians who have self-reported, which is why it appears to be such an uncommon situation.
- Likewise, data on this situation also relies on the doctor's peers to report the incidents; however, close bonds and mutual solidarity make this data limited as well.
- Depending on data from a self-report is just completely unreliable. Doctors are unlikely to report on themselves for a hundred reasons, including the desire to continue their behavior, not wanting to be arrested, not wanting to lose their medical license, family fallout, public embarrassment, and the list goes on and on.
- Because of this conundrum, the number of actual sexual abuse or sexual harassment cases perpetrated by doctors on patients is likely much higher.
- Desire to Continue or Fear of consequences → Underreported cases.
Victim Silence
- Because patients, whether they are male or female, are often scared or reluctant to report sexual assault or harassment by their doctors.
- This creates a massive gap in the data. In fact, even studies on the topic (despite a lack of data) are still rare.
- The barriers to reporting sexually-related crimes are numerous and deeply ingrained in all of society. In all sex crimes, more than two-thirds (77%) go unreported on average, according to RAINN.
- In the doctor-patient dynamic, trust plays a huge role. Patients are conditioned from a young age to believe their doctor is:
- an authority figure
- always acts in their best interest
- trustworthy
- a moral figure
- These beliefs often discourage victims from speaking out because they either A) believe these things themselves, B) realize everyone else does and thus won't believe their story, or, most likely, C) a combination of both.
- Fear also drives silence in sexual assault victims. Patients worry they will be labeled a whore, liar, or a million other things. Not to mention the fear of facing retaliation or enduring public scrutiny.
- As in the case of OBGYN Dr. Brock, doctors have also been known to gaslight victims into believing the behavior was part of standard care.
- Because of these barriers, the actual number of victims that have experienced physician-perpetrated sexual abuse or harassment is likely far greater than what is officially reported.
- Conditioned trust and fear of backlash → Underreported cases.
What is the data on sexual assault and sexual harassment reporting in healthcare settings?
As we have mentioned, the data is hard to find. But we have put together a collection of data from around the internet to get a clearer picture of sexual assault on a patient.
Underreporting by Victims: Only 25-40% of sexual assault victims in the United States report their assaults to law enforcement, depending on the type of crime and the perpetrator's relationship to the victims. This figure is even lower in cases involving authority figures like doctors due to fear of not being believed or societal trust in the perpetrator's position of power. These stats come from the Department of Justice's National Crime Victimization Survey.
Barriers in Healthcare Settings: In cases of sexual misconduct by healthcare professionals, as little as 8% of victims report the abuse to state medical boards or other regulatory agencies. Trust in doctors and fear of medical gaslighting often prevent victims from coming forward, according to the Federation of State Medical Boards.
Institutional Reporting Challenges: A study of U.S. physicians disciplined for sexual misconduct found that 75% of offenses involved patients, yet nearly 40% of these physicians retained their licenses, discouraging further reporting from victims who see little accountability. This data comes from the very trusted journal, JAMA's report titled Physicians Disciplined by a State Medical Board.
According to an article titled "National Prevalence of Sexual Violence by a Workplace-Related Perpetrator," victims are 25-50% less likely to report sexual abuse or harassment when the perpetrator is in a position of authority or trust.
For example, in the case of Dr. Larry Nassar, a former USA Gymnastics physician, over 150 victims eventually came forward to report abuse.
However, many of the survivors had initially hesitated for years, citing his authority, trusted status, and institutional backing as reasons they doubted their experiences or feared repercussions.
We believe this will also be the case with Dr. Barry Brock. As women see others coming forward, it becomes much less scary for them to step up and tell their stories. We will see very soon over the coming weeks.
Should We Hold Institutions like Cedars-Sinai Accountable?
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where Dr. Brock worked for over 40 years, is also under scrutiny for its role in allegedly covering up the predator's habitual behavior.
Attorney for the plaintiffs, Anthony T. DiPietro, said, "The two things that all of the patients have in common is the fact that they were exposed to a known serial sexual predator by Cedars-Sinai Medical Center—and the fact that all of them are female who were simply seeking medical care for themselves and their unborn children."
"Cedars-Sinai Medical Center knew about Barry Brock’s sexual exploitation and abuse of patients for decades,” Attorney DiPietro said.
“But instead of protecting its patients, the only thing [the hospital] did was lie, gaslight, and help cover up Brock’s crimes – while exposing a countless number of unsuspecting patients to a known serial sexual predator. Cedars-Sinai must be held accountable for enabling and covering up Brock’s abuse.”
Although Brock was officially banned from practicing at Cedars-Sinai in September 2024, it should be noted that the accusations started IN THE 1980s!
The lawsuit filed on behalf of 35 former patients outlines claims that OB/GYN Barry J. Brock allegedly sexually exploited and abused women while they were receiving care. The attorneys claimed the center knew about the alleged abuse but allowed him to continue practicing medicine for decades.
The inaction of Cedars-Sinai regarding complaints about Dr. Brock has resulted in trauma for countless women, causing lasting emotional, psychological, and physical damage. There are claims and internal references, such as calling Dr. Brock “Brock the butcher,” suggesting that Cedars-Sinai staff had awareness of his controversial practices.
The allegations against Dr. Barry Brock contradict Cedars-Sinai’s core values and the trust patients place in the institution. In their public statement, Cedars-Sinai emphasized their commitment to patient safety and trust, yet the historical inaction suggests a different reality. The trauma inflicted on the victims is a direct result of the institution’s failure to act on multiple complaints over the years.
The broader implications of this case extend beyond Dr. Brock’s individual actions to the institutional culture that allowed such behavior to persist. The medical community is now faced with the challenge of regaining patient trust and ensuring that such abuses are not repeated.
Lawsuits Filed Over OBGYN Barry Brock's Sexual Abuse
The legal actions against Dr. Barry Brock and Cedars-Sinai are mounting, with serious claims such as sexual battery, sexual assault, and negligent supervision by the medical center. Cedars-Sinai Medical Center is facing lawsuits from 35 former patients alleging a cover-up of Dr. Brock’s sexual misconduct over many years. These lawsuits highlight the severity and extent of the allegations, suggesting a systemic failure to protect patients.
Specific allegations include Dr. Brock performing unnecessary sutures after childbirth, sometimes referring to them as “extra stitches” for cosmetic reasons. Some patients described the use of medical instruments during exams as forceful and violent, simulating inappropriate behavior. Despite receiving multiple patient complaints, Cedars-Sinai allowed Dr. Brock to continue his practice until his suspension following the recent surge of allegations.
Attorneys Anthony DiPietro and Mike Arias, representing over 35 women, accused Dr. Barry Brock of inflicting pain and committing acts of female genital mutilation. The formal legal actions regarding the alleged misconduct have only recently been initiated, raising concerns about the timeliness of institutional responses given the claims spanning over four decades.
The lawsuits aim to hold both Dr. Brock and Cedars-Sinai accountable for their roles in this prolonged abuse. The legal journey is a critical step toward justice for the survivors and a necessary push for systemic change within medical institutions to prevent such misconduct in the future.
Stories from Survivors and Statements from the Plaintiffs and Defense
The harrowing accounts of the survivors provide a deeply personal perspective on Dr. Brock’s alleged misconduct. A group of 35 women has stepped forward with detailed stories of abuse during medical examinations over his 40-year career. These former patients are now the voices behind the multiple legal actions against Dr. Brock, alleging severe sexual misconduct and abuse.
Several patients have reported Dr. Brock for inappropriate comments and medically unnecessary examinations, contributing to the ongoing lawsuits. Legal actions also highlight allegations of negligence during critical patient care moments, which endangered patients’ lives. Victims are not only pursuing justice for themselves but also aim to prevent future abuse by exposing Dr. Brock’s actions.
Other Women Come Forward and Old Accusations Resurface
Emily from Los Angeles wrote in 2022:
"It never felt like the right time to write this, but having seen all of the other brave women write their stories, gave me the courage to write mine.
Throughout my pregnancy, Dr Brock made numerous inappropriate comments about me and my body throughout my examinations. Telling me that he found "pregnant women sexy" whilst my legs were in stirrups with him inspecting me. And what was worse.. the female nurse who was in the room with me, just laughed it off. I was so mortified but kept quiet and never said a word. I tried to change Dr's following this but was told that I was too late in my pregnancy and no one would take on new clients when I was this far along.
I was fortunate to have a safe delivery, however Dr Brock had a student Dr join him ( I wasn't asked ahead if this was ok). During the delivery, Dr Brock made sure to call out to the student Dr, how important it is to wear protective gear to protect your clothes from bodily fluids, as I was pushing.
He also made some inappropriate comments on how he would sew me up tighter than I was before, for my husbands enjoyment. And to make things worse, I think he actually did."
Jeannie from Hollywood wrote in 2023:
"My experience happened in 2013, but I never forgot it. I got sent to Dr. Brock in my 9th month of pregnancy when my original OB/GYN left the practice. I only saw him once, and that was more than enough. I echo all the other comments about inappropriate and sexual comments. For the record, I work in comedy and am no prude, but this was creepy, not funny, and over the line. Huge ick factor and super unprofessional. I demanded to be switched to a different doctor right after this appointment. At first, the office staff told me there were no other doctors who had availability to take on another patient. But as soon as I started to tell them what happened they immediately switched me. It was obvious they had heard this before."
Jessica from Los Angeles wrote all the way back in 2010"
"When I refused an exam, he took it upon himself to unhook my bra - and folks, his technique rivaled any horny high school student."
*These statements are from reviews about Dr. Brock and are the opinions of the patients.
Plaintiffs' Attorneys Statements
In contrast, Attorney Anthony T. DiPietro has stated that the center chose to protect Dr. Brock rather than its patients. The plaintiffs’ attorneys emphasize their commitment to seeking justice for the survivors, focusing on the grievous violations against women. The legal battle continues as both sides present their arguments, highlighting the complexities of the case.
DiPietro wrote:
"Defendants Brock and institutional defendants violated and betrayed the trust of hundreds, if not thousands, of female patients by sexually exploiting, abusing, and covering up Brock's acts of sexual exploitation and abuse," the suit states.
Defense Attorney Claims
Tracy Green, representing Dr. Barry Brock, has vehemently denied the allegations against him, calling them fabrications and distortions of the truth. Green claims that the lawsuit is primarily motivated by financial gain, asserting that attorneys have sought out women to support the case. According to Green, some actions labeled as sexual assault, such as performing necessary medical exams, have been misrepresented.
Dr. Barry Brock has publicly denied all allegations, asserting that his actions were solely for medical purposes and that claims of sexual misconduct are false. Tracy Green has repeatedly suggested that the allegations are lies and distortions motivated by financial gain from the plaintiff’s law firms.
Dr. Barry Brock has publicly denied the allegations against him, stating:
"I know that I never touched or examined a patient in any way for anything but medical reasons. I know that my comments have never been sexually suggestive or sexual harassment and that any such allegations have taken a comment completely out of context and distorted it. Any claim that I performed a medical examination or procedure for anything but a medical purpose or conducted it in a way for my own personal gratification, to discourage C-sections, or to sexually harass a patient is an outrageously false claim."
Additionally, Dr. Brock's attorney, Tracy Green, has stated:
"These are flat-out lies. Some of these allegations are complete distortions of what he said. It never occurred. This is about money, and there's big money in plaintiff's law firms. They started soliciting and advertising, feeding this false narrative—this is sexual assault… Oh, that was a Pap smear? Do you think that was necessary? That's assault."
Needless to say, she went beyond defending her client and into victim blaming, in my opinion.
Impact on Medical Institutions
The allegations against Dr. Barry Brock have significant implications for medical institutions, particularly regarding the trust between patients and healthcare providers. Increased awareness about sexual misconduct cases can lead to changes in institutional policies aimed at enhancing patient safety and trust. The balance between fostering patient trust and addressing the potential for abuse is a critical focus for medical institutions post-incident.
The scrutiny of emergency procedures performed by Dr. Brock, particularly delayed cesarean sections that resulted in health complications, adds another layer to the investigation. Medical institutions must now re-evaluate their policies and procedures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The impact of these allegations extends beyond individual cases, prompting a broader conversation about the need for systemic changes in how complaints are handled and how patient safety is prioritized.
A statement from Cedars-Sinai said:
“The type of behavior alleged about Dr. Barry Brock is counter to Cedars-Sinai’s core values and the trust we strive to earn every day with our patients,” “Dr. Brock no longer has privileges to practice medicine at Cedars-Sinai, and we have reported this matter to the California Medical Board. We recognize the legal process must now take its course, and we remain committed to Cedars-Sinai’s sacred healing mission and serving our community.”
Getting Help After Sexual Assault
The journey toward healing can be challenging for survivors of sexual abuse in healthcare. Cases of sexual abuse can severely undermine the trust patients place in medical professionals, leading to reluctance to seek care and adherence to treatment plans. In California, survivors have up to 10 years from the date of the abuse or three years from the date they discovered the psychological effects to file a civil claim.
Support services like the National Sexual Assault Hotline, which offers confidential support 24/7, provide a vital resource for survivors.
Survivors of Dr. Barry Brock’s abuse are not alone. Community-based rape crisis centers provide confidential advocacy and services tailored to each individual’s needs. Managed by RAINN, the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline connects individuals to local rape crisis centers, providing immediate support.
Each state has designated coalitions that coordinate resources for sexual assault survivors and can direct individuals to local services. Victims of sexual abuse by doctors (and believe me this isn't the only incident) should report the incident to local law enforcement for immediate assistance. Patients can also file complaints with their state medical board, which has the authority to take disciplinary actions against offending doctors.
Were You or a Loved One Assaulted by Dr. Brock? Get Help!
The allegations against Dr. Barry Brock and the subsequent legal actions underscore the critical need for accountability. Lawsuit Legal News is helping victims of Dr. Brock and any other OBGYN who are guilty of sexual assault. Contact us today to discuss your case.