Okanagan woman sues former doctor who sexually assaulted her

A B.C. woman is suing her former doctor and the staff of his Vernon, B.C., medical clinic after the former physician was convicted of sexually assaulting her and two other women connected to his clinic. 

In July, Peter Inkpen was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison on three counts of sexual assault. Inkpen is in court facing one additional count of sexual assault.

The identities of the victims and the alleged victim in the ongoing trial are protected by a court-ordered publication ban. However, one of the women, Hilary Davies, applied to the court to have the ban lifted on her name so she could speak publicly about the abuse she suffered.

Davies has filed a notice of civil claim against Inkpen as well as several members of his staff at his Exercise Medicine and EMG Clinic in Vernon, seeking compensation for the sexual abuse she suffered. The clinic is listed online as permanently closed. Inkpen has surrendered his medical licence according to the B.C. College of Physicians and Surgeons.

'Coercive grooming behaviours'

According to court documents, Davies attended Inkpen's clinic in 2018 for treatment of chronic pain. She had significant pre-existing health issues, including post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, a major depressive disorder and a history of suicidal ideation.

The lawsuit, as well as evidence from his criminal trial, outlines a series of "coercive grooming behaviours" used by Inkpen to exploit his position as Davies's doctor and manipulate her trust and vulnerability.

This included taking Davies for lunch and attempting to kiss her, putting his phone number into her cellphone and sending her sexualized messages, as well as inviting her for appointments after hours or on weekends, according to court documents.

Inkpen confided in Davies about his own mental health challenges and marital discord, "persuading the plaintiff he sincerely cared for her, exploiting her pre-existing diminished self-esteem and social isolation," according to the notice of civil claim.

The coercion led to multiple sexual assaults on Davies both at his clinic and at her home, the lawsuit states.

In 2022, Inkpen was arrested and charged with two counts of sexual assault. In 2024, he was charged with four additional counts of sexual assault after more alleged victims came forward to police. 

Fear and trust issues

In an interview with CBC News, Davies said the sexual abuse by her doctor left her feeling traumatized and fearful.

"What worse could be done to me? There is nothing worse," Davies said.

"He has taken everything from me, absolutely everything, including medical treatment."

The sexual abuse and violation of trust by her doctor has left her with trust issues, Davies said, leaving her reluctant to seek medical treatment despite her ongoing complex health needs.

"Most people would go in if they have a broken arm or fractured elbow. I don't," she said. 

"I don't go to the doctor. I don't want to be in the hospital at all."

Allegations against clinic staff

Davies is also suing members of Inkpen's clinical staff who managed the clinic, including his wife, according to the notice of civil claim, alleging staff failed to take action to stop the assaults, despite being aware of Inkpen's inappropriate behaviour.

The case prompts a broader discussion about accountability within medical practices, according to Davies's lawyer Sandra Kovacs.

"How do we prevent [sexual assault] from happening to vulnerable patients in our community?" Kovacs said.

"By the civil lawsuit, looking to other potential bystanders and not just Dr. Inkpen, we can learn from this experience. We can look at what are the failings in the system that allowed this to happen."

Although Inkpen's sexual abuse was documented in the criminal trial leading to his sexual assault convictions, the allegations included in the notice of civil claim, particularly against Inkpen's staff and wife, have not been tested in civil court.

The defendants named in the lawsuit have yet to file a statement of defence.