Chinese students alleged victims of doctor

Chinese students were among the women allegedly victimized by a former gynecologist at the University of Southern California, who is accused of sexually abusing his patients over decades, according to a published report.

Dr. George Tyndall, 71, had been the only full-time gynecologist at the university's student health center for nearly 30 years before he resigned last year.

There's currently no "active criminal investigation" against Tyndall until "somebody comes forward with criminal allegations", a public relations officer at the Los Angeles Police Department said on Thursday.

The allegations against Tyndall include his use of fingers prior to insertion of a speculum, taking photographs of patients' genitals (supposedly for medical reasons), touching patients inappropriately, and making sexual and racially discriminatory comments about patients and their bodies.

"We demand the university deal with the case seriously, conduct an immediate investigation and take concrete measures to protect the Chinese students and scholars on campus from being harmed," the Chinese Consulate General in Los Angeles said in a statement.

"The consulate has all along attached great importance to the safety and legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens overseas, including Chinese students and scholars. We will actively provide necessary assistance to students and scholars in need."

There are more than 5,000 Chinese overseas students at USC.

During a 2016 investigation by USC, an outside medical review firm found that Tyndall's examination practice was outdated and didn't meet current standards of care.

A box of clinical photos of cervixes and surrounding internal tissue from 1990-1991 was found in Tyndall's office during the investigation.

Tyndall's colleagues also said he appeared to prefer Chinese students because they often had a limited knowledge of the English language and of American medical practices, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Most of the Chinese students said their appointment with Tyndall was their first with a gynecologist, and they blindly trusted the doctor and followed what he told them to do, according to the Times.

The doctor denied the allegations in an interview with the newspaper.

Liu Yinmeng in Los Angeles contributed to this story.

liazhu@chinadailyusa.com