The Ethics of Care Under Threat: When Protectors Become Perpetrators—Patterns of Abuse and Ethical Breaches by Physicians Accused of Sexual Misconduct in a Brazilian State

Sexual harassment perpetrated by physicians constitutes a critical form of institutional violence against women. This retrospective, cross-sectional study examined 39 ethical cases involving 37 male physicians judged by a Brazilian Ethics Tribunal between 2012 and 2022. Data were anonymized and analyzed using descriptive statistics and Barnard's test ( p < .10). Most violations occurred within the field of Gynecology and Obstetrics, revealing breaches in the physician–patient relationship and infringements on human rights. Although many cases were dismissed for insufficient evidence, confirmed infractions resulted in severe sanctions. Findings underscore the urgency of ethical training and protective protocols to prevent harassment.