A Baton Rouge physical therapist has been accused in a second case of sexual battery committed under the guise of medical treatment, and authorities are investigating more allegations brought by a number of other females, our media partners at The Advocate report.
The East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office told the newspaper that Philippe Veeters, 54, of Dutch Physical Therapy, was booked on a second count of sexual battery last week, accused of touching another patient inappropriately — without consent, gloves or another medical professional in the room — during a 2017 physical therapy appointment for a shoulder and neck pain.
Veeters also was arrested prior to that arrest, on two counts of sexual battery. In the first case, a woman said that during her first physical therapy appointment, which was scheduled to address a curve in her spine, Veeters pulled up her dress, pulled down her underwear and touched her genital region without her consent or a warning, according to the first arrest warrant, the Advocate reports.
To read the Advocate’s full story, click here.
According to the state Physical Therapy Board’s website, Veeters license was suspended after the board received a complaint from a female patient who said that during an exam he inappropriately touched her. His license was suspended for nine months, and is required to complete a fitness for duty evaluation during that time.
“Upon completion and clearance, he will be placed on probation for a minimum period of five years with practice restrictions. During probationary period, he shall not provide physical therapy treatment to female patients outside of the presence of another responsible person,” the board’s website states. “He must notify all employers and employees of his consent order prior to providing services. He shall comply with monitoring visits, and complete a three day professional boundaries and ethics course.”
Veeter’s license was issued in 1992, the board’s records indicate.
