Two female college students said they were forced to endure almost weekly vaginal probes in front of classmates and instructors as part of a medical diagnostic sonography class at a Florida community college, according to a civil rights lawsuit filed in federal court.
The lawsuit by the women, identified as Jane Doe I and Jane Doe II, accuses Valencia College in Orlando, Florida, of violating their rights to free speech and to protection from unwarranted searches under the First and Fourth Amendments.
Using volunteers, including students, for medical sonography training is a nationally accepted practice, said Carol Traynor, spokeswoman for Valencia College in a statement on Monday.
The lawsuit filed last week contends that the women protested and were bullied into submission.
“Valencia’s established and widespread policy was to browbeat students who did not consent to those invasive probes and threaten Plaintiffs’ academic standing as well as their future careers until the students complied,” the lawsuit states.
The procedure in question involved a transvaginal ultrasound probe in which a technician inserts a lubricated probe to detect problems with fertility or other issues, according to the lawsuit which describes the probe as large and not recommended for females who have not had sexual intercourse.
The women say they submitted under duress to the probes, which at times required their bodies to be sexually stimulated by other students to facilitate insertion, according to the complaint filed by lawyer Christopher R. Dillingham II.
“Plaintiffs endured these invasive probes without a modicum of privacy. Plaintiffs would disrobe in a restroom, drape themselves in towels, and traverse the sonography classroom in full view of instructors and other students,” the lawsuit states.
The lawsuit states that students in the Valencia program were able to practice on actual patients during clinics in hospital and had available anatomically correct dummies.
The complaint states that the clinical and laboratory coordinator initially told the students that the probes were voluntary. But when the women protested the probes, they were told that they could find a different school, and that they would be blacklisted from local hospital jobs and that their grades would be reduced, the complaint says.
Dillingham wrote in the complaint he had been unable to find another sonography program in which students practice vaginal probes on each other.
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LawyerLady
I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you.
A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
“Valencia’s established and widespread policy was to browbeat students who did not consent to those invasive probes and threaten Plaintiffs’ academic standing as well as their future careers until the students complied,” the lawsuit states.
Sounds like it really wasn't much of a choice according to this statement.
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“Until I discovered cooking, I was never really interested in anything.” ― Julia Child ―
Why didn't they stand up against it before? If it is a widespread policy then it is known by the schools administration and whatever. It has happened before.
That is the epitome of discrimination. So why has it been allowed to stand?
The students had a choice. Even if it was a rotten choice, it was still a choice.
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
We'll have to agree to disagree then because it seems to me they really had no choice if they wanted to pass the class. It is disgusting and I'm glad they're finally standing up to it. Just because they haven't in the past doesn't somehow make it ok.
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“Until I discovered cooking, I was never really interested in anything.” ― Julia Child ―
I didn't say it made it ok. If anything it makes it worse.
Why did they not make a stand when they first took the class? They had to be aware of it. They didn't sound an alarm until it directly involved them. If it had been anyone else, would they have made a fuss?
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
I guess. But why didn't they make a stand before they laid on that table? I just think there were too many opportunities to not do it.
__________________
A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
When my sister went to massage therapy school they practiced on each other. She said that was kind of icky at times. I can't imagine doing the vaginal ultrasound.
Two female college students said they were forced to endure almost weekly vaginal probes in front of classmates and instructors as part of a medical diagnostic sonography class at a Florida community college, according to a civil rights lawsuit filed in federal court.
The lawsuit by the women, identified as Jane Doe I and Jane Doe II, accuses Valencia College in Orlando, Florida, of violating their rights to free speech and to protection from unwarranted searches under the First and Fourth Amendments.
Using volunteers, including students, for medical sonography training is a nationally accepted practice, said Carol Traynor, spokeswoman for Valencia College in a statement on Monday.
The lawsuit filed last week contends that the women protested and were bullied into submission.
“Valencia’s established and widespread policy was to browbeat students who did not consent to those invasive probes and threaten Plaintiffs’ academic standing as well as their future careers until the students complied,” the lawsuit states.
The procedure in question involved a transvaginal ultrasound probe in which a technician inserts a lubricated probe to detect problems with fertility or other issues, according to the lawsuit which describes the probe as large and not recommended for females who have not had sexual intercourse.
The women say they submitted under duress to the probes, which at times required their bodies to be sexually stimulated by other students to facilitate insertion, according to the complaint filed by lawyer Christopher R. Dillingham II.
“Plaintiffs endured these invasive probes without a modicum of privacy. Plaintiffs would disrobe in a restroom, drape themselves in towels, and traverse the sonography classroom in full view of instructors and other students,” the lawsuit states.
The lawsuit states that students in the Valencia program were able to practice on actual patients during clinics in hospital and had available anatomically correct dummies.
The complaint states that the clinical and laboratory coordinator initially told the students that the probes were voluntary. But when the women protested the probes, they were told that they could find a different school, and that they would be blacklisted from local hospital jobs and that their grades would be reduced, the complaint says.
Dillingham wrote in the complaint he had been unable to find another sonography program in which students practice vaginal probes on each other.
It may be necessary for them to learn how to use one but if they haven't ever had sex yet they should have been exempt and practice on a dummy. When my dd was in nursing school they practiced giving each other shots. I do think the way they did this is odd but I never went to medical school.
I had a vaginal ultrasound. It was no big deal. I didn't think it was a huge instrument. However, that has no bearing on the fact that this is just wrong.
__________________
“You may shoot me with your words, you may cut me with your eyes, you may kill me with your hatefulness, but still, like air, I'll rise!” ― Maya Angelou
Two female college students said they were forced to endure almost weekly vaginal probes in front of classmates and instructors as part of a medical diagnostic sonography class at a Florida community college, according to a civil rights lawsuit filed in federal court.
The lawsuit by the women, identified as Jane Doe I and Jane Doe II, accuses Valencia College in Orlando, Florida, of violating their rights to free speech and to protection from unwarranted searches under the First and Fourth Amendments.
Using volunteers, including students, for medical sonography training is a nationally accepted practice, said Carol Traynor, spokeswoman for Valencia College in a statement on Monday.
The lawsuit filed last week contends that the women protested and were bullied into submission.
“Valencia’s established and widespread policy was to browbeat students who did not consent to those invasive probes and threaten Plaintiffs’ academic standing as well as their future careers until the students complied,” the lawsuit states.
The procedure in question involved a transvaginal ultrasound probe in which a technician inserts a lubricated probe to detect problems with fertility or other issues, according to the lawsuit which describes the probe as large and not recommended for females who have not had sexual intercourse.
The women say they submitted under duress to the probes, which at times required their bodies to be sexually stimulated by other students to facilitate insertion, according to the complaint filed by lawyer Christopher R. Dillingham II.
“Plaintiffs endured these invasive probes without a modicum of privacy. Plaintiffs would disrobe in a restroom, drape themselves in towels, and traverse the sonography classroom in full view of instructors and other students,” the lawsuit states.
The lawsuit states that students in the Valencia program were able to practice on actual patients during clinics in hospital and had available anatomically correct dummies.
The complaint states that the clinical and laboratory coordinator initially told the students that the probes were voluntary. But when the women protested the probes, they were told that they could find a different school, and that they would be blacklisted from local hospital jobs and that their grades would be reduced, the complaint says.
Dillingham wrote in the complaint he had been unable to find another sonography program in which students practice vaginal probes on each other.
It may be necessary for them to learn how to use one but if they haven't ever had sex yet they should have been exempt and practice on a dummy. When my dd was in nursing school they practiced giving each other shots. I do think the way they did this is odd but I never went to medical school.
Why would it be anybody else's business if you are a virgin or not? Why should that have to be shared to be exempt. No one should be pressured to participate, let alone this.
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LawyerLady
I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you.
"at times required their bodies to be sexually stimulated by other students to facilitate insertion"
Sorry, this makes it sexual assault.
Clinically, the probe is covered by a condom, and LUBRICATED, usually with K_Y Jelly or a similar lubricant.
Anyone who says the patient or practice-patient has to be stimulated is a liar. They're using this "exercise" for reasons that have nothing to do with the course.
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The Principle of Least Interest: He who cares least about a relationship, controls it.
I don't think ultrasound techs get cadavers. Those are for med students only I believe.
I agree with Ed. The fact that they said the volunteers had to be sexually stimulated takes it to another whole level of disgusting. Are they teaching the techs that a potential patient would have to be stimulated as well? Because that's equally as terrible. I had one once and they used a lubricant.
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Out of all the lies I have told, "just kidding" is my favorite !
A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
"at times required their bodies to be sexually stimulated by other students to facilitate insertion"
Sorry, this makes it sexual assault.
Clinically, the probe is covered by a condom, and LUBRICATED, usually with K_Y Jelly or a similar lubricant.
Anyone who says the patient or practice-patient has to be stimulated is a liar. They're using this "exercise" for reasons that have nothing to do with the course.
It's not a choice if it doesnt' apply equally to all students, including male students.
That's crap.
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
It's not a choice if it doesnt' apply equally to all students, including male students.
That's crap.
What is crap is being pressured to do something like that or facing consequences in your grades. That's not true volunteering. It is ridiculous you can't see that.
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LawyerLady
I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you.
They had a choice. They chose to go along with it.
And you can say all you want about grades and class and pressure but the fact is, they had a choice.
And there are lots of things that don't apply to everyone. That argument is ridiculous.
Personal responsibility people. Ever hear of it?
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
In times past, it wasn't uncommon for medical and nursing students to practice some skills on one another such as exams, starting IV's etc. But, those practices have fallen by the wayside. And, now schools have very good simulators and life like manniquens. And, the recognition that it isn't kosher to practice on another student anymore.
So, then you aren't going to address my point about the transrectal probes that can be used on men?
Whats to address? It isnt an issue.
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
They had a choice. They chose to go along with it.
And you can say all you want about grades and class and pressure but the fact is, they had a choice.
And there are lots of things that don't apply to everyone. That argument is ridiculous.
Personal responsibility people. Ever hear of it?
Yes. I'm also aware of the responsibility the school has to its students. But, go ahead and ignore that.
I'm not. But you can't agree to do something then turn around and blame another for not stopping you.
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A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
Yes it does. You are asking females to do invasive exams but not males when in fact they will be doing both males and females in their professional practice.