Canadian psychiatrist had sex with male patients in his office

March 12, 2018

Canadian psychiatrist Dr. Melvyn Iscove, 72, who believes homosexuality is a "sexual disorder" that can be overcome, was found guilty by Ontario’s medical regulator of sexually abusing two of his male patients.

According to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario’s discipline committee, Iscove engaged in mutual masturbation and oral sex with two male patients on different occasions during therapy sessions, and once had anal intercourse with one of them in his office.  

The decision published by the committee stated, "Neither complainant described any emotional or romantic aspects of the sexual activity with Dr. Iscove, and both said that at some point, they thought that the sexual activity was part of the therapy and an attempt to cure them of homosexuality by engaging in the acts, rather than fantasizing about them."

Iscove denied the sexual abuse allegations, which mostly date back to the 1990s and early 2000s. His licence was immediately suspended after the guilty findings pending a penalty hearing that has yet to be scheduled.

SOURCE: Jacques Gallant, "Psychiatrist who treated patients for their homosexuality had sex with male patients in his office," Toronto Star, 9 Mar 2018, https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2018/03/09/psychiatrist-who-treated-patients-for-their-homosexuality-had-sex-with-male-patients-in-his-office.html.