Women recovering from surgery at Epworth Hospital says nurse sexually assaulted her

A young woman says she endured her “worst nightmare” after a Epworth Hospital nurse allegedly forced himself on her as she recovered from surgery.

Taylah alleges she was sexually assaulted by a nurse at Epworth Hawthorn. Picture: David Caird

A young woman feared she would be raped when a nurse allegedly forced himself on her while she recovered from surgery at a Melbourne hospital.

Taylah, who did want to use her last name, spoke exclusively to the Herald Sun about the shocking incident, saying she suffers post-traumatic stress and major depressive disorders after she alleges she was sexually assaulted by an on-duty male nurse at Epworth Hawthorn.

“My life has not been the same since,” she said.

“I was always warned about walking alone at night but never did I think my worst nightmare would come true in a hospital.”

Taylah was recovering from surgery when she says she was sexually assaulted. Picture: David Caird

Taylah wanted to speak out because she said every woman deserved to feel safe when they were at their most vulnerable.

“I was so medicated, I genuinely could not fight back. I don’t want anyone to have the feeling of hopelessness that I had,” she said.

Taylah, who was 21 at the time, was hospitalised following complications from a car accident and was recovering from nose surgery when she alleges the nurse groped and kissed her early on the morning of December 8, 2021.

A Victoria Police spokesman confirmed the incident was being investigated but charges had not been laid.

“A 39-year-old Tarneit man was arrested and is assisting police with their enquiries,” the spokesperson said.

Epworth Healthcare declined to comment.

The day before she was allegedly assaulted, Taylah said the nurse introduced himself as one of two nurses who would change her bandages during the night due to significant bleeding.

She said the nurse initially complimented her tattoos and was friendly before he came in about 1am and pulled a chair beside her bed.

“He asked whether I had a boyfriend and told me about his separation,” she said.

Taylah said the alleged assault happened when a male nurse woke her. Picture: David Caird

About 4.30am, Taylah said the nurse woke her to check her vitals before telling her she needed to get up and change.

“He pulled me out of the bed as I was dizzy and in a lot of pain, I walked with aid over to the couch where my bag was,” she said.

“He pulled up a chair, sat down and watched me get unchanged.

“It was revolting.”

Taylah alleges the nurse asked her to turn around before pulling her on to his lap and telling her how good she looked.

She said she stumbled to the bathroom to brush her teeth because she was vomiting blood and to try and work out what to do next.

“My phone was on charge next to the bed so I walked over there and tried to sneakily set it up to record what was happening but I was shaking too much and everything was happening very quickly,” she said.

“He was closing the door at this time and was looking in the hallway to ensure no one was there.”

Taylah alleges he then pushed her on to the bed.

“I thought he was going to rape me,” she said.

The alleged attacker had their nursing registration suspended in March last year.

“I went really still, I didn’t know what to do.”

She said she tried to push the assist button but began shaking and couldn’t put enough pressure on it.

Taylah alleges the nurse then climbed into the bed and lay next to her before placing his arms around her neck.

“He told me to cuddle him … I wasn’t speaking and went into shock,” she said.

The nurse allegedly groped her and told her he would let her sleep if she kissed him.

“I didn’t so he pulled my face into his and pushed his lips onto mine which caused my blood to go all over his face as my nose was bleeding quite a bit,” she alleges.

Taylah alleges the nurse tried kissing her again before telling her not to tell anyone because he could lose his job.

She was discharged later that day, and initially wasn’t sure if the assault had happened because she was so medicated.

But the nurse allegedly continued messaging her on Facebook, discussing what happened that night.

Taylah reported the incident to police in January last year.

She said she still suffers from nightmares and found it difficult to return to work.

The nurse’s practising registration was suspended in March last year according to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.

Shine Lawyers Abuse Law Solicitor Lauren Domijan, whose firm is preparing civil action against Epworth Healthcare, said the alleged assault would have “lifelong consequences” for Taylah.

“Taylah was in an incredibly vulnerable position and it’s horrifying to think a healthcare professional could allegedly attack someone like this,” she said.