It is the court in Steinkjer that will handle the case complex in which 55-year-old Bye is charged with 88 rapes and for abusing his position as a doctor to obtain sexual intercourse. A total of 95 women have been offended in the case.
On Tuesday morning at 9 o’clock, state prosecutors Eli Reberg Nessimo and Rikhard Haugen Lyng will start the trial with the prosecution’s opening presentation. They will go through the investigation before the court and highlight some of the evidence the investigation has brought to light.
On Wednesday afternoon, Bye himself will begin his statement to the court. A day and a half has been set aside for this, before the medical and forensic psychiatric experts have their say.
The nearly one hundred victims do not begin to explain themselves to Trøndelag district court until the second week of the trial.
– No comment
From the time the case was brought up in 2022 and until the indictment was brought out in September this year, the former municipal supervisor would not allow himself to be questioned about the cases. In the time since the publication of the indictment, however, the 55-year-old has appeared for questioning and pleaded guilty to parts of the content of the indictment. This applies to abuse of the position as a doctor in 40 of the cases, and for three cases of rape because the victim in the legal sense has been unable to oppose the act, Bye’s defender told NTB.
Beyond this, the 55-year-old has no wish to comment on the matter. Nor will Bye or his lawyer make extensive comments to the media in connection with the upcoming trial.
– We would like to state that prior to the main hearing and during the main hearing as a completely clear starting point we will not comment on the case in the press. Our message on the occasion of the case will be communicated to the court in court, writes lawyer Erlend Hjulstad Nilsen to the press who will cover the trial.
Same mode
The description of the offense on the many charges is very similar to each other: They describe how the trusted doctor during gynecological examinations of the patients has committed sexual acts. The victims have been touched or had objects inserted into their abdomen “without it being medically adequate”, according to the indictment.
– This happened quickly and unexpectedly during the investigation, it is stated consistently in the indictment’s many points.
The first assaults are dated as far back as 2004 and the last shortly before the case was uncovered in 2022. With the dismissed cases, relationships relating to over 200 people in Frosta municipality have been investigated. Just over 2,600 people live in the municipality.
Was notified
The self-examination has characterized several public agencies in the time since.
In an internal evaluation report which Trønder-Avisa has reproduced, the Norwegian Health Authority determined in October that Bye would already have had its authorization revoked in 2006, or had it restricted, given the current treatment. The background was a notice from a senior doctor at Levanger Hospital and three female patients who had reacted to the examinations they had been subjected to.
Also in 2017, Bye received notices against him, but even then no further investigations were made into the doctor and the practice at Frosta doctor’s office. In the autumn of 2022, however, more and more messages began to come in from women who talked about objectionable conditions at the doctor’s office.
When the police raided in November 2022, they found over 6,000 hours of video footage. The doctor had filmed female patients during gynecological examinations.
Many cases dropped
In addition to the 95 cases covered by the indictment, 114 have also been dropped. Many of them because of the statute of limitations, but 15 cases have been dismissed on the grounds that the defendant has an obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.
This has caused attention, but State Attorney Lyng primarily points out that there is no evidence that Bye has deliberately abused his position to obtain sexual intercourse.
Coordinating aid lawyer Tove Røddesnes stated that she would complain about the closures, but told NTB that they had not received an answer to these.
#victims #explain #Frosta #trial
**Interview with Dr. Samira Rao, Clinical Psychologist and Advocate**
**Interviewer**: Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Rao. The recent case being tried in Steinkjer involving a doctor charged with multiple rapes has garnered significant media attention. What are your thoughts on the implications this case may have for the medical profession and patient trust?
**Dr. Rao**: Thank you for having me. This case is indeed troubling and highlights a critical issue of trust in the healthcare system. Patients turn to doctors for care, often in vulnerable states, and when that trust is violated as alleged, it can have far-reaching consequences not just for the victims but for the perception of the entire medical community.
**Interviewer**: It’s reported that the accused has pleaded guilty to some charges related to abuse of his medical position. How does this complicate the legal and ethical landscape for medical professionals?
**Dr. Rao**: Pleas and admissions of guilt can complicate matters significantly. It raises ethical questions about how professionals in sensitive positions must conduct themselves. It underscores the necessity for stringent oversight and accountability measures, ensuring that such breaches of trust are neither overlooked nor underestimated.
**Interviewer**: The trial is taking place with a significant number of victims expected to testify. What is the psychological impact on these victims when confronting such traumatic experiences in a court setting?
**Dr. Rao**: It’s an incredibly challenging process. For many, testifying is a way of reclaiming their narrative and seeking justice; however, it can also be re-traumatizing to relive those experiences. Providing psychological support before, during, and after the trial is essential for these victims to process their trauma healthily.
**Interviewer**: Given the parallels drawn with earlier cases in India leading to widespread protests, do you foresee a similar public reaction in Norway if the verdict is perceived as unjust?
**Dr. Rao**: It’s entirely possible. Public sentiment can often resonate with unresolved issues of sexual violence, especially when systemic failings are highlighted. If people feel justice hasn’t been served, protests and calls for systemic change can arise. It’s an important reminder of the broader societal implications that individual cases can entail.
**Interviewer**: as an advocate for mental health and victim rights, what message would you like to convey to both the victims in this case and to the broader community?
**Dr. Rao**: I’d like to remind victims that they are not alone, and it takes tremendous courage to come forward. It’s vital for the community to support them in this process, ensuring a safe environment for healing. For the broader community, let this serve as a call to action to demand accountability and strengthen systems that protect the vulnerable while upholding justice.
**Interviewer**: Thank you, Dr. Rao, for your insights and for shedding light on such a critical issue.
**Dr. Rao**: Thank you for bringing attention to it. It’s a necessary conversation.
