In this doctor's case, let justice be served
He sexually abused young patients and now pleads illness
Joey Thompson, The Province
Published: Monday, October 23, 2006

There may be many reasons why sexual predator and former psychiatrist Richard Golden's victims have chosen not to lodge complaints with police.
But I can't find them.

Which is why this is partly a pep talk to the emotionally fragile patients who emerged from disturbed families to beg the then-noted specialist to help them become whole again -- and were kicked in the teeth for trusting.

There's little doubt that Golden's deeds justify charges under the Criminal Code for sexual assault linked to people in positions of authority. There is ample ammo in the College of Physicians and Surgeons' recent report to ignite a full investigation by Vancouver's sexual offence squad.

The watchdog agency -- which has since deleted his name from its practitioners' list -- established he preyed on three chronically depressed patients, one suicidal, for years. Two of them were still teens in the early 2000s when they trustingly booked a visit with Golden at his and wife Susan Joy's Westside Family Psychiatric Services on Broadway.

The college said Golden's sex exploits were self-serving, planned, and coldly executed; he knew there was no escape for the mentally shaky patients. "The worst of the worst," disgusted college investigators announced. "His conduct is that of a sexual predator," the four members noted, adding that the shrink's behaviour was wicked, dishonest and disgraceful.

The three victims have retained separate lawyers to represent them in future civil trials for compensation for pain, suffering, loss of income, future homecare, as well as the more uncommon punitive or aggravated damages.

But they must know it will be a bitter war. Six months ago, Golden's wife secured a court order granting her control of her husband's estate and personal affairs on the diagnoses of two psychiatrists that he was mentally sick due to depression and three disorders; post traumatic distress, attention deficit and obsessive compulsive -- and he wasn't going to get any better.

The fact the couch doctor was found unfit to manage his own affairs may have led to the trio's individual decisions not to bother disclosing to the Vancouver sexual offence squad.

If so, I suggest they reconsider.

Let a criminal trial judge -- who applies the Criminal Code test of mentally unfit after hearing arguments from Crown and defence -- properly decide whether Golden is up to facing his accusers. The second possible deterrent for the women when considering whether to press for a criminal inquiry is the loss of their chances to recover punitive damages. Civil courts are unlikely to further punish abusers via their wallets when they've already been criminally prosecuted. Again, this isn't reason enough. Court awards for even the most grievous sexual assaults have invariably been on the low side; punitive damages even more meagre. They really don't stand to lose a lot.

If it's the meat-grinder reputation of a criminal trial that has them spooked, it's understandable. But these women have already shown great courage and fortitude in flushing this pervert from the profession and in opting to testify in pending civil trials.

Critics may say I just want to see the guy be punished. You bet, if he's guilty. But a criminal trial also helps give survivors of sexual abuse closure. Furthermore, it sends an important message to like-minded doctors and other professionals who abuse the control they command over us.

Let justice be served.