Data obtained by this publication shows that a total of 739 reports were logged across three distinct criminal categories between January 2021 and early September 2026, with each record containing the term medical and an associated offender.
The disclosure came from Gwent Police in response to a formal information request seeking details about allegations of assault or sexual assault involving healthcare workers.
Officials clarified that their recording systems lack the capability to isolate offences specifically attributed to medical personnel.
Instead, a manual review was conducted examining reports classified as assault involving bodily harm, assault without physical injury, and sexual offences including rape, where an individual had been linked to the incident and the word medical appeared somewhere in the documentation.
Several women previously approached journalists with accounts of examinations they felt had been conducted without proper consent.
One resident of Monmouth, Charlotte Symes, described experiencing lasting distress after undergoing an intimate procedure at the Grange University Hospital following childbirth.
According to her account, she had agreed to the examination only on the understanding that medical staff would describe each step and pause for her explicit approval before proceeding.
She stated that these conditions were not honoured and that clinicians continued despite her requests that they stop.
The Aneurin Bevan University Health Board examined her complaint and expressed regret that her wishes regarding continuous communication throughout the procedure had not been respected and that she had experienced discomfort.
Internal reviews were conducted with the staff involved, and the organisation stated that going forward, practitioners would ensure patients received full explanations of any procedures and would respond promptly to requests for pain relief or to cease activity.
Nevertheless, the investigation concluded that no breach of legal duty had occurred, a finding that Ms Symes contested.
A separate case involved Julia Abbott-Dymond from Newport, who reported that a specialist in women’s health performed an internal examination without her permission at a hospital within the Gwent region following a cervical screening procedure.
The clinician involved maintained that he considered consent to have been given.
The General Medical Council examined concerns including allegations of sexual assault and inadequate consent procedures before determining in January 2026 that no regulatory action would be taken.
Examiners concluded there was insufficient likelihood of demonstrating sexual intent and noted improvements the doctor had implemented to his clinical approach.
An independent specialist commissioned by the regulatory body assessed the situation and determined that while the examination met clinical necessity criteria, valid consent had not been secured and the standard of care fell markedly below acceptable levels.
Records flagged by the keyword search encompassed various sexual offence classifications.
Disposition details for non-rape sexual crimes showed that two matters proceeded to formal legal process, while seven involved a named suspect and victim willingness to support prosecution but investigators cited evidentiary obstacles.
Five cases were concluded after inquiries failed to identify a suspect.
Among records categorised as rape, one led to charges being filed.
Three cases featured a named suspect and supportive victim yet faced investigative challenges due to evidence limitations.
In three further matters, victims withdrew cooperation after a suspect had been identified.
Three additional rape cases were closed when no suspect could be located.
The majority of the 739 flagged records related to violent offending rather than sexual crimes.
Data indicates that 24 violence-with-injury reports resulted in charges, with 11 additional matters proceeding via formal summons.
For offences involving violence without physical harm, five led to charges and six to summons or requisition documentation.
Separate statistical returns from the force documented 9,889 reports of rape and other sexual offences across the force area during the same period, comprising 2,936 rape offences and 6,953 other sexual offences.
Combined, these resulted in 624 suspects being charged or summonsed.
Figures attributed to 2026 cover only the initial months through early September and consequently should not be equated with full-year totals from preceding years.
When questioned about protocols for investigating assault allegations within clinical environments, Gwent Police stated that each matter receives individual assessment, with surrounding circumstances and any resulting injuries considered when determining whether criminal proceedings are appropriate.
The health authority has previously articulated that lawful consent requires both knowledge and willingness, and that during intimate examinations practitioners should provide clear descriptions of what will occur while confirming continued agreement, with patients retaining the right to refuse or halt any examination at their discretion.