A former Ontario neurologist, Jeffrey Scott Sloka, walked out of a Kitchener courtroom last week acquitted of 48 sexual assault charges. But the legal victory offers no path back to his profession, leaving a complex and painful aftermath for those involved.
The case, unfolding over four and a half years and involving allegations from nearly 70 women between 2010 and 2017, hinged on whether the examinations – involving breasts, vaginas, and rectums – were justified. Justice Craig Parry ultimately found a valid reason for the exams, leading to the not-guilty verdict.
However, Sloka’s medical license was revoked in 2019 by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) – long before the criminal trial concluded. The CPSO determined he’d committed acts of professional misconduct, a decision entirely separate from the criminal proceedings.
The revocation wasn’t simply a suspension; Sloka irrevocably agreed to never seek reinstatement as a physician, not in Ontario, nor anywhere else. This means the courtroom outcome, while significant, doesn’t alter his standing with the medical regulatory body.
The verdict has ignited a wave of anguish among survivors. The Sexual Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region described the ruling as “deeply upsetting,” acknowledging the range of emotions – anger, grief, disbelief – it would trigger.
Statistics paint a stark picture of the challenges in prosecuting sexual assault. Only a small fraction of survivors report the abuse to police, and even fewer cases result in charges, let alone convictions. This reality amplifies the pain for those who came forward.
The core of the allegations centered on a pattern of invasive examinations. Patients testified that Sloka requested they disrobe completely, ostensibly to check for skin abnormalities potentially linked to their neurological conditions.
During these examinations, patients allege Sloka would remove the medical gown and inappropriately touch, cup, or squeeze their breasts. One woman recounted a disturbing experience where she alleged the doctor inserted fingers into her vagina and rectum without gloves, citing checks for constipation.
These alleged acts were repeated during multiple appointments with at least one patient, creating a climate of fear and violation. The details reveal a profound betrayal of the trust inherent in the doctor-patient relationship.
Significantly, Sloka did not contest the facts presented during the CPSO disciplinary hearing. The panel concluded he engaged in sexual abuse and conduct deemed “disgraceful, dishonourable or unprofessional.”
The disciplinary panel expressed dismay at Sloka’s absence from the hearing, viewing it as a further demonstration of disrespect towards both his patients and the regulatory process. They lamented the continued occurrence of such abuse despite widespread awareness.
Sloka, a graduate of Memorial University of Newfoundland, had been a certified neurologist since 2008 and began practicing in Kitchener a year later. His career, once promising, ended with a devastating loss of trust and a permanent ban from medicine.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the power dynamics within healthcare and the devastating consequences when that power is abused. It underscores the importance of patient safety and the rigorous oversight of medical professionals.
