Our petition made the news! In response, Yale issued a statement, the first part of which reads as follows:
"We recently have been made aware of a petition that erroneously alleges Yale School of Medicine (YSM) medical students conduct unindicated, non-consented pelvic exams while patients are under anesthesia. The petition also discusses proposed state legislation that the petition’s author believes would prevent such practices."
I would like to clarify that this petition does not allege Yale School of Medicine students conduct non-consensual pelvic exams on anesthetized patients. At no point have I or am I accusing any particular institution, entity, or individual - including Yale - of these practices. The petition simply refers to Yale's documented opposition to SB 16 - An Act Prohibiting an Unauthorized Pelvic Exam on a Woman Who is Under Deep Sedation or Anesthesia, banning nonconsensual pelvic exams by students. This public testimony was submitted to the state legislature and is a matter of public record. It is also linked at the bottom of this update. I also quote their consent forms, both as an example of the consent forms we as patients see in Connecticut and in reference to language in their 2019 public testimony regarding consent forms. The petition also links to an article published in Elle in 2019 by Dr. Jennifer Tsai quoting a number of individuals who identified as medical students or recent medical graduates from several states including Connecticut. At no point do I - or did I intend to - accuse Yale of engaging in these practices. I do encourage everyone who views this petition - and this update - to read their public testimony as well as the 2019 Elle article, both linked below.
https://www.elle.com/life-love/a28125604/nonconsensual-pelvic-exams-teaching-hospitals/
I would also encourage everyone to read the NBC article and view the NBC clip, linked here, in which Yale bioethicist Lori Bruce states the following "We do know from national survey data, as well as local focus groups, that unconsented intimate exams within the clinical setting are indeed, occurring nationwide, as well as here in Connecticut" - confirming the petition's original assertion that these exams are, in fact, happening in this state and reaffirming the need for legislation to protect patients against that practice.
Thank you all so much for your support. We will continue to advocate for the passage of this important legislation, and for safe and dignified healthcare for everyone, in Connecticut and in every other state!