The sanctity of the medical examination room has been shattered for dozens of women, as 81 patients join a civil lawsuit against a US Army gynecologist accused of turning a healer’s sanctuary into a predator’s studio.

This expanded legal action against Major Blaine McGraw comes less than 24 hours after military prosecutors filed criminal charges, highlighting a catastrophic failure to protect patients at Fort Hood, Texas, one of America's largest military installations.

A Betrayal of Trust

The civil lawsuit, which initially began in November, paints a disturbing picture of the conduct within the on-base medical center. Attorneys for the victims allege that McGraw, who began treating patients at the facility in 2023, engaged in a pattern of predatory behavior disguised as medical care.

According to the filing, patients were “subjected to invasive, unnecessary, and degrading touching, voyeurism, and covert filming.”

While the military’s Office of Special Trial Counsel has focused its criminal case on 54 specifications of “indecent visual recording” involving 44 identified victims, the civil suit goes much further. It accuses the doctor of assault, sexual assault, and battery under Texas state law.

The plaintiffs claim McGraw “intentionally and knowingly made harmful and offensive physical contact” during routine gynecological exams—procedures that are already anxiety-inducing for many women without the added threat of exploitation.

The 'Rape Kit' Allegation

Perhaps the most harrowing detail to emerge from the lawsuit involves an active-duty soldier who sought medical attention following a sexual assault. During the administration of a rape kit—a procedure designed to collect DNA evidence and document trauma—the soldier suspects she was victimized again by the very doctor meant to help her.

“During that deeply vulnerable procedure, he was constantly on his phone while between her legs,” the lawsuit states. The woman now believes McGraw used his device to photograph her during the exam, a violation of privacy that defies medical ethics.

Dual Legal Battles

McGraw now faces a war on two fronts:

• Criminal Court: The army has charged him with multiple counts of indecent visual recording and related offenses.
• Civil Court: The expanded complaint filed Wednesday seeks accountability for the physical and psychological trauma inflicted on the victims.

For the global medical community, and indeed for patients here in Kenya, the case serves as a stark reminder of the power dynamics at play in healthcare. It underscores the necessity for rigorous oversight in military and civilian hospitals alike.

As the legal process unfolds, the focus remains on the 81 women seeking justice for what they describe as a profound violation of their bodies and their trust.