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Students forced to submit to a vaginal probe for university course.

 

A lawsuit has been filed against an American university for subjecting its students to “vaginal probes.”

Two medical students at university in Florida have filed a lawsuit against the institution after they were subjected to weekly vaginal probes.

Female students at Valencia College were told they would be penalised if they did not submit to a trans-vaginal ultrasound given by a fellow student as part of their ‘practical’ lessons. A trans-vaginal ultrasound is a probe used to scan a woman’s pelvic cavity.

Now, two unidentified plaintiffs — known as Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2 — have filed a federal suit.

 

The young women claim that not only were forced to submit against their will but Valencia College staff retaliated against students who complained. According to local media service, the Orlando Sentinel, the suit claims the chair of the college’s Sonography Program told the students “they could find another school if they did not wish to be probed.”

 

The plaintiffs will also allege the teacher administering the probes, Barbara Ball, made suggestive comments while the students were being tested. Ball allegedly told one of the plaintiffs that she was “sexy” and could have been an escort.

 

According to the lawsuit, students were required to undress in a bathroom, drape themselves in towels and walk past students and faculty on their way to a sonogram station.

“A student would place a condom over the probe and then apply generous amounts of lubrication to the probe. In some cases, the student would have to sexually ‘stimulate’ plaintiffs in order to facilitate inserting the probe into Plaintiffs’ vaginas,” the lawsuit states.

“Plaintiffs experienced discomfort and embarrassment each time they had to endure this forced probing of their sexual organs.”

 

Originally the plaintiffs were told that the probes were not a required part of the course but this was later retracted as Ball told the girls they would be penalised if they didn’t submit. This was confirmed after the students complained and allegedly had their grades reduced, were threatened to be blacklisted from local institutions, and eventually, were forced to resign from the program.

The probes were conducted on students weekly, despite the availability of practice mannequins. Female students were particularly discomforted by a male class mate who conducted probes.

 

The plaintiffs’ attorney, Chris Dillingham, told CNN, “I filed the complaint in federal court because we are dealing with the government: Valencia State College. This is a constitutional federal rights claim. The vaginal probes and my client’s right to refuse them without retribution; their First and Fourth Amendments were violated.”

The Orlando Sentinel says the practice known as peer physical examination (PPE) is quite common — but more regulation is required.

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Top Comments

Guest 9 years ago

On the plus side,at least they all learnt how to perform a trans-vaginal ultra sound!
I don't think its a bad idea,but they should not have been "forced" to do them against their will,or threatened.
And for the teacher who made comments,such as being sexy etc- maybe she was just trying to make learning fun and was having a joke with them.
I have had the procedure when I was pregnant with my first child.It wasn't pleasant,but everything that was going to happen was explained to me.And I did not need any "sexual stimulation" before the ultra sound.
Maybe some of this story was "exaggerated"?

rebecca 9 years ago

I agree. I've had this done for kidney stones and during pregnancy. They use lube and can't imagine why there would be any sexual simulation.

Lily 9 years ago

There are other ways to practice, such as using mannequins or volunteers. If I had a choice I wouldn't be a patient on the ward where I work it's not about the quality of care but being exposed and vulnerable. As for the teachers comments. I have been a CNE and they are very unprofessional and there are many ways to make a lesson fun other then using sexual comments

Amy 9 years ago

It's an awful idea! Having an intimate examination done by your classmates?
You cannot compare that with having the ultrasound done by a professional who you don't know.
When I was in med school we had volunteers that we learnt to do pelvic exams & pap smears on, which is a much better way of learning. There is no way I would have let a classmate practice on me.


Jop 9 years ago

Wow - I really hope this isn't true. I've actually volunteered as a 'subject' for this ultrasound. I agreed as I'd had a very difficult pregnancy and knew that the ultra-senographers who were at the course where I was a volunteer were all qualified professionals trying to ensure they were up to date by attending additional training. I wasn't pregnant when I volunteered, and was never made to feel uncomfortable, in fact I felt I'd given my time for a good purpose. Also I had had the exam when I was pregnant (and was needing lots of additional tests) and it was a bit confronting, not at all like having a regular ultrasound.