Healthcare Sexual Abuse in Telemedicine: What Patients Need to Know

How Abuse Can Happen in a Virtual Setting

When telemedicine became more common, especially after the pandemic began, many patients were relieved. Finally, a way to see a doctor from the privacy of home. No waiting rooms, no long drives. For some, it felt safer. But unfortunately, even in virtual spaces, abuse can happen. And it has.

Sexual abuse in telemedicine may not involve physical contact, but it can still be deeply violating. The power dynamic between provider and patient is the same. The expectation of professionalism is the same. And the harm, when that trust is broken, can feel just as real.

At Horn Wright, LLP, our healthcare sexual abuse attorneys have helped survivors navigate the legal complexities of abuse in digital healthcare. These cases can feel confusing and isolating, but if something felt wrong during a virtual visit, it’s not just in your head. You deserve answers, and support.

What Abuse Can Look Like During a Telehealth Visit

Just because a visit happens over video doesn’t mean inappropriate behavior can’t occur. In fact, some providers may feel emboldened behind a screen, thinking what they say or do can’t be recorded or traced.

Abuse in telemedicine may include:

• Asking patients to remove clothing unnecessarily
• Making sexual or suggestive comments during an exam
• Requesting private images unrelated to treatment
• Repeatedly scheduling appointments for non-medical reasons
• Touching themselves during a video session or directing the patient to perform acts

Some survivors report feeling confused, unsure if what happened was part of a legitimate medical interaction. Others realize only later that their boundaries were crossed. If a healthcare provider used their role to create a sexualized or exploitative environment, it may qualify as abuse.

What to Do if Something Felt Wrong

If you experienced discomfort, confusion, or clear misconduct during a telehealth visit, take these steps as soon as possible:

• Write down what happened, including time, date, and platform used
• Save any messages, emails, or appointment logs
• Do not delete the app or platform, in case it contains history or logs
• Talk to someone you trust or speak with a legal professional

Even if you’re not sure whether it qualifies as abuse, you have the right to ask questions. Many survivors second-guess themselves, especially when there’s no physical contact. But harm can still occur across a screen. You don’t need to wait until you’re certain to take action.

Reporting Abuse: Where to Start

Reporting abuse in a virtual medical setting may involve a few more steps than in-person cases, but the process is still there to protect you. You can start by reporting the provider to their employer or the telemedicine company, if applicable. Some platforms have internal review teams that investigate misconduct.

You also have the right to file a complaint with a licensing board. Most healthcare professionals, including those offering virtual services, must be licensed in the state where the patient resides. That means New York-based patients are protected under state laws.

Depending on the situation, you may also want to file a police report or speak with an attorney about pursuing civil action.

The Role of Oversight in Virtual Care

The growth of telemedicine has raised new questions about accountability. Who ensures providers follow proper protocols when they’re not in a physical office? Who protects the patient if something goes wrong during a video call?

In New York, the Office of the Attorney General’s Health Care Bureau plays a key role in monitoring virtual health services. The bureau investigates patient complaints involving fraud, abuse, and privacy violations, including those related to telehealth platforms.

They also work to ensure telemedicine providers operate within professional and ethical guidelines. If a provider abuses their position during a virtual session, a complaint to this bureau can trigger an investigation and corrective action.

Privacy and Consent Still Matter

Some abusers take advantage of the blurred lines in virtual care. They may pressure patients into sharing more than they need to or use casual language to lower a patient’s guard. But the rules around consent, privacy, and appropriate boundaries haven’t changed just because the visit happens over a screen.

You have the right to:

• Ask why any part of your body needs to be shown
• Refuse requests that feel uncomfortable
• End a session at any time
• Request a chaperone or witness, even in virtual settings

Many patients don’t realize they can say no in these settings. Telemedicine doesn’t erase your rights. If a provider makes you feel exposed or pressured, that’s a red flag.

Licensing Boards Still Have Jurisdiction

Just because a healthcare provider sees you online doesn’t mean they’re beyond the reach of professional discipline. In New York, licensing boards still oversee medical professionals providing telehealth services to state residents. This includes physicians, therapists, psychologists, and nurse practitioners.

The New York State Office of Professional Discipline, under the Department of Education, has the authority to investigate misconduct by licensed providers, including those operating through telemedicine.

If a provider crossed a line during a virtual session, this agency can take action. That includes launching an investigation, suspending a license, or permanently removing a provider from practice. Your complaint doesn’t have to lead to public action to matter. Even a single report can trigger a closer look into a provider’s history.

How Survivors Often Feel After Virtual Abuse

Many survivors of telehealth abuse struggle with shame or confusion. Some worry no one will believe them because it happened on a screen. Others feel like they somehow allowed it by going along with a provider’s request in the moment. But none of that makes what happened your fault.

Abuse is about power, not touch. When a provider uses their authority to blur professional lines, it is never okay. Whether you froze, complied, ended the call, or didn’t react at all, you are not to blame.

If something didn’t sit right, you deserve to talk about it. You deserve to be believed. And you deserve legal support that listens to your concerns without judgment.

How Horn Wright, LLP, Can Help

At Horn Wright, LLP, we understand that abuse doesn’t need to happen in person to leave lasting harm. Our sexual abuse attorneys help survivors who’ve experienced abuse in virtual healthcare settings take action, safely, privately, and at their own pace.

We can review your case, protect your identity, and help you understand your rights. Whether the abuse happened during a therapy session, a medical consult, or an urgent care call, we’re here to stand by your side.

Speaking up in virtual spaces is just as valid as reporting in person. If you’re ready to take the next step, we’re here to help you do it with care and confidence.