Manitoba

Winnipeg doctor charged with sexual assault of female patient

Dr. Amir Ravesh has been charged in connection with the sexual assault of a woman.

The woman was treated in hospital for her injuries and released, while the doctor turned himself in to police

Dr. Amir Ravesh has been charged in connection with a sexual assault on a woman at a Winnipeg medical clinic. (Linkedin)

A 51-year-old family physician has been charged in connection with the sexual assault of a woman.

The woman went to a walk-in medical clinic on Oct. 19 and was taken to a treatment room. A short time later, the doctor entered the room and closed the door.

According to police, the woman was examined in an inappropriate manner, and it escalated to the point that she was "seriously sexually assaulted" by the physician — a man who had previously treated her at the clinic in the city's Elmwood area.

The woman reported the incident to police the next day, and members of the sex crimes unit launched an investigation, noting the woman sustained injuries consistent with her account of the assault.

She was treated in hospital for her injuries and released.

Ravesh turns himself in

Dr. Amir Ravesh has turned himself in to police and now faces charges. Ravesh has since been released from custody on a promise to appear in court.

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba released a statement, saying they are aware of the charges against Ravesh and that he is no longer practising medicine, but not for any disciplinary reason.

We were shocked and dismayed to learn about the charges against Dr. Ravesh.- Andrew Chubey, clinic manager

The CPSM said Ravesh has no formal disciplinary history with their organization and they couldn't say whether there is an investigation currently underway.

On the Manitoba College of Family Physicians website, Ravesh is named as secretary on the board of directors.

The MCFP says it isn't responsible for disciplining family physicians and is not privy to the details of the allegations. "We expect all members of the MCFP to provide the best care for their patients and abide by the principles of family medicine," executive director Tamara Buchel wrote in an email statement.

The manager of the clinic where Ravesh worked also released a statement. 

"We were shocked and dismayed to learn about the charges against Dr. Ravesh.  We were notified about this for the first time over the weekend, by the Police. Prior to the contact from the Police, we had not been made aware of concerns regarding Dr. Ravesh's conduct," said Andrew Chubey.

This investigation is continuing by members of the sex crimes unit, and anyone with further information is asked to contact investigators at 204-986-6245 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-TIPS (8477).