Norwegian Gynaecologist Raped 87 Patients, Filmed Secret Exams Over 20 Years’ in National Scandal.
A former gynaecologist has been charged with the sexual assault of 87 women, ranging in age from 14 to 67, and allegedly filmed these examinations over a span of 20 years, leading to a significant scandal in Norway.
Arne Bye, aged 55, is currently on trial facing serious allegations of sexual misconduct, which include offenses against two minors aged 14 and 15 at the time of the incidents.
The oldest victim was 67 years old when she was reportedly assaulted by Bye. He has admitted guilt to three counts of rape and 35 instances of abuse of his professional position, potentially facing a sentence of up to 21 years in prison. During the investigation, authorities confiscated more than 6,000 hours of video footage, which included recordings of his gynaecological examinations.
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These procedures were allegedly conducted without the patients' consent, and officials have characterized the footage as "sensitive and detailed." Reports indicate that Bye used various objects, described as "deodorant-like," "bottle-like," and cylindrical, on the women without any legitimate medical justification.
One victim recounted her experience in court, stating, "I thought I was going to die." Another victim, who had visited her doctor for a sore throat, described how she found herself in a vulnerable position during an invasive examination, saying, "I thought that he is my doctor, so I did as he said." The indictment claims that the alleged assaults occurred swiftly and unexpectedly during the examinations.
Police confiscated over 6,000 hours of video footage during their investigation, primarily consisting of gynecological exams secretly recorded without the patients' consent.
These incidents took place in Frosta, a small town with a population of only 2,600 on the Norwegian coast. The court has been presented with explicit video evidence recorded by Bye, with state attorney Richard Haugen Lyng noting, "We have video recordings of the assault itself. In that sense, we have a rather unique evidentiary situation in this case, as significant portions of the indictment are supported by video material," stated the prosecutor. In his defense, the former doctor asserted that he recorded the appointments out of concern for potential lawsuits and claimed he never reviewed the footage.
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Norwegian broadcaster NRK reported that one of the videos depicts him setting up multiple cameras in the room prior to examining one of the women involved in the case. The report also indicated that he partially acknowledged the rape allegations during a court appearance on Wednesday.
Concerns regarding his conduct were raised as early as 2006 by a fellow physician in the gynecology department of a local hospital. One of Bye's patients, who was seeking additional treatment, alleged that her doctor had inappropriately massaged her genitals during the examination. In August 2022, police initiated an investigation after health authorities informed them of the potential misconduct.
Bye managed to retain his position until the following year when formal charges were brought against him. He has not been placed in custody as the trial proceeds.
