was a Mormon and obstetrician/gynecologist (OB/GYN) doctor in Provo, Utah; in 2022, dozens of women joined a class action lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault; in 2022, a Utah judge dismissed the case; as of October 2023, nearly 300 victims had come forward; in June 2024, was charged with forcible sexual abuse; in August 2024, the Utah Supreme Court ruled that the lawsuit could proceed

Case report

David Broadbent was an active LDS church member and obstetrician/gynecologist (OB/GYN) doctor in Provo, Utah.

He was married in the Mesa, Arizona Mormon temple in 1973.

In 2022, dozens of women came together in a class action lawsuit in Utah, accusing Dr. David Broadbent of sexually abusing them. A judge dismissed the case, “determining that because their alleged assailant is a doctor, the case must be governed by medical malpractice rules rather than those that apply to cases of sexual assault” (ProPublica, 2023-02-22).

In October 2023, over 90 women planned to appeal to the Utah Supreme Court on October 20 regarding their 2022 lawsuit against Broadbent.

As of October 2023, Broadbent had not been arrested or charged with a sex crime.

In June 2024, Broadbent was criminally charged with forcible sex abuse.

FLOODLIT has obtained a copy of the probable cause affidavit in Broadbent’s criminal case, thanks to your donations.

It says (victim initials redacted; warning, graphic description of sexual assault):

“On July 6, 2020, [Victim] went to the Provo office of the defendant, a physician, regarding a bump in her vaginal area. The defendant was a physician. [Victim] had undressed from the waist down for the examination. The defendant came into the treatment room and lifted [Victim]’s shirt and bra and grabbed her breasts. After touching her breasts, the defendant grabbed [Victim]’s leg in what felt to her as a sexual manner and pulled her to the edge of the table and began the examination of her vaginal area.”

Case facts

Case videos

    • Video title: When High-Level Mormon Church Leaders Sexually Abuse: Matt and Stephanie Purcell Pt. 1 - 1520
    • Video description: Matt Purcell is the grandson of Spencer Palmer - former BYU professor of religion, mission president, temple president, LDS church area authority, personal friend of Mormon prophet Gordon B. Hinckley, and likely recipient of the top secret Mormon church Second Anointing ritual. In today's episode Matt tells his story of being one of several victims of sexual abuse by his grandfather - who served at some of the highest levels of Mormon church leadership. Matt is joined by Stephanie, his wife. Both share their Mormon stories, which include their faith journeys after discovering problematic Mormon church history. [FLOODLIT note: In this episode, starting at approximately 2:11:45, David Broadbent's alleged sexual abuse is described]

Case information sources

  1. David H. Broadbent Claims Arizona Bride
    view source details | 1 Jan 1974 | Provo Daily Herald
  2. Sexual abuse class action lawsuit now has 50 Jane Does, more expected
    view source details | 17 Mar 2022 | Provo Daily Herald
  3. 'Disgusted': Utah Doc Accused of Sexually Abusing 83 Women
    view source details | 2 May 2022 | The Daily Beast
  4. Utah County judge dismisses case against Provo OB-GYN accused of sexual abuse by more than 50 patients
    view source details | 5 Oct 2022 | Gephardt Daily
  5. Attorney prepares malpractice claim against Provo OB/GYN accused of sexual abuse
    view source details | 20 Jan 2023 | Provo Daily Herald
  6. 94 Women Allege a Utah Doctor Sexually Assaulted Them. Here’s Why a Judge Threw Out Their Case.
    view source details | 22 Feb 2023 | ProPublica
  7. Attorney questions whether Utah County will bring criminal charges against former doctor
    view source details | 30 Aug 2023 | Provo Daily Herald
  8. Utah women among dozens appealing court’s decision regarding Provo OB-GYN lawsuit
    view source details | 12 Oct 2023 | ABC4
  9. Utah magazine apologizes after including an OB-GYN repeatedly accused of sexual assault in its ‘Best Of’ issue
    view source details | 28 May 2024 | Salt Lake Tribune
  10. Utah County doctor sued by nearly 100 women faces first criminal charge
    view source details | 27 Jun 2024 | KSL
  11. Utah OB-GYN David Broadbent charged with forcible sexual abuse for 2020 patient exam
    view source details | 27 Jun 2024 | Salt Lake Tribune
  12. Dozens of women said a Provo OB-GYN sexually abused them. Now the Utah Supreme Court says they can sue him.Dozens of women said a Provo OB-GYN sexually abused them. Now the Utah Supreme Court says they can sue him.
    view source details | 8 Aug 2024 | Salt Lake Tribune

Case information source details

Browse the Mormon Sexual Abuse Database

FLOODLIT.org has a free public database of hundreds of reports about people who committed or allegedly committed sex crimes, including sexual abuse, while they were active Mormon church members. You can browse the entire database in all sorts of ways, including by LDS church position, number of victims, places where crimes took place, or criminal/civil case result.

View the Mormon Sexual Abuse Map

International map of locations where active members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints perpetrated or allegedly perpetrated sexual abuse or other sex crimes, or where LDS leaders failed or allegedly failed to help abuse survivors.

 

Add information

Search the Mormon Sexual Abuse Database