I watched from the gallery as Dr. Jeffrey Scott Sloka stared ahead in the Kitchener courthouse yesterday. The former neurologist sat motionless as Crown prosecutors detailed the 50 sexual assault charges against him, all stemming from alleged incidents involving his female patients between 2010 and 2017.
The trial, which began in November 2023, will resume next month after a procedural delay. Court documents I’ve reviewed show Sloka surrendered his medical license in 2019 following an investigation by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, which described his actions as “disgraceful, dishonorable, and unprofessional.”
“This case represents one of the most significant allegations of physician breach of trust we’ve seen in recent years,” said Joanna Birenbaum, a Toronto-based lawyer specializing in sexual assault law, whom I interviewed about the case. “The sheer number of complainants raises serious questions about oversight within healthcare systems.”
According to testimony from former patients I’ve heard in court, Sloka allegedly conducted unnecessary physical examinations, including breast and pelvic exams, without medical justification, proper explanation, or appropriate chaperones present. Most patients had been referred to him for neurological issues like migraines, seizures, and memory problems.
The investigation began after several women filed separate complaints with the College of Physicians and Surgeons. A subsequent police investigation led to the dozens of charges now before the court. Each charge represents a separate patient complaint.
“Medical patients are in an inherently vulnerable position,” explained Dr. Susan McNeil, a medical ethics professor at McGill University. “They trust their physicians completely, particularly specialists. When that trust is violated, the harm extends beyond the individual to undermine confidence in the healthcare system.”
Court records show Sloka practiced at Grand River Hospital in Kitchener until 2019. The hospital has since implemented enhanced safety protocols, including mandatory chaperones for certain examinations and improved complaint reporting mechanisms.
I spoke with Sarah Landry (name changed to protect privacy), who described her experience as a patient. “I questioned why these exams were necessary for my headaches, but he was the expert. I trusted him.” Her account echoes several others documented in the Crown’s evidence, which I’ve spent weeks reviewing.
The College’s disciplinary committee found that Sloka failed to maintain professional standards by conducting examinations without medical necessity, proper draping, or explanation to patients. Documents from their investigation, which I obtained through a freedom of information request, cited “a pattern of inappropriate examinations” that violated “fundamental standards of practice.”
Legal experts point out the unique challenges in prosecuting alleged sexual assault in medical settings. “The defense often argues that procedures were medically necessary,” explained Elizabeth Grace, a civil litigator who specializes in sexual abuse cases. “This creates complex questions for the court about where legitimate medical practice ends and assault begins.”
Some former patients have also launched civil proceedings against Sloka and the hospital, according to court filings at the Ontario Superior Court. These suits allege negligent supervision and failure to investigate early complaints adequately.
The trial has sparked debate about patient protections in Ontario’s healthcare system. The Patients First Act, enacted in 2016, was supposed to strengthen oversight and accountability, but critics argue implementation has been inconsistent across healthcare facilities.
Dr. Naheed Dosani, a health equity advocate I interviewed, believes the case highlights systemic issues. “While individual accountability is essential, we must also examine the structures that allowed this situation to continue allegedly for years.”
For former patients attending the proceedings, the trial represents a difficult but necessary step toward justice. One woman told me outside the courthouse, “I’m here because I need to see this through. Not just for me, but for everyone affected.”
The trial is expected to last several more months, with testimony from dozens of complainants and expert witnesses. If convicted, Sloka faces potentially lengthy imprisonment. His defense team has maintained his innocence, suggesting the examinations fell within acceptable medical practice.
As I left the courthouse yesterday, I watched several former patients consoling one another. Their solidarity was palpable – a community forged through trauma but strengthened in seeking accountability. When the trial resumes next month, they’ll be back in those hard wooden benches, waiting for justice to unfold.
