"Levin is not unfamiliar with controversy.
While a colonel in the South African military under apartheid in the 1970s, he was linked to the use of electroshock aversion therapy, now widely discredited, that was supposed to "cure" gays and lesbians of their homosexuality.
Dr. Aubrey Levin isn't new to controversy, having been linked to the use of electroshock aversion therapy on homosexual soldiers when he was a colonel in the apartheid South Africa military.Dr. Aubrey Levin isn't new to controversy, having been linked to the use of electroshock aversion therapy on homosexual soldiers when he was a colonel in the apartheid South Africa military.
Levin's activities were brought up during South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission, but he was never prosecuted for them."
CANADIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION;
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BACKGROUND: Dr. Aubrey Levin, 71, was first arrested and charged March 23 after allegations that a 36-year-old patient was repeatedly sexually assaulted. Calgary Police said that following that charge, “the sex crimes unit was approached by numerous people alleging they, too, were Sexually assaulted by Levin during counselling sessions or court-ordered visits. These assaults allegedly occurred at Levin's Peter Lougheed (hospital) office or examination rooms. Dr. Levin has now been charged with 20 additional counts of sexual assault involving 20 other patients. Alberta Justice has been reviewing all criminal cases in which Dr. Levin offered testimony to ensure there were no miscarriages of justice. Spokesman David Dear said the work in 17 cases in which Dr. Levin was currently involved has been redone by other psychiatrists. The department is currently reviewing 21 other cases which had been finished. Mr. Dear said that Dr. Levin most commonly gave expert testimony to help the court make decisions on sentencing for people who had already been convicted.
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"Calgary psychiatrist Dr. Aubrey Levin faces 21 charges of sexual assault, based on allegations by patients.Calgary psychiatrist Dr. Aubrey Levin faces 21 charges of sexual assault, based on allegations by patients," the CBC News story published on December 22, 2010, under the heading, "Alberta seeks patients of courtroom psychiatrist: 21 male patients ordered to see Dr. Aubrey Levin have alleged sexual assault," begins.
"The Alberta government is quietly trying to find out if there may be more alleged victims of a Calgary psychiatrist already charged with sexually assaulting some patients," the story continues.
"CBC News has learned that Alberta Justice has recently sent out letters to defence lawyers, asking for help from their clients.
Dr. Aubrey Levin, who was used as a forensic psychiatrist by Alberta courts for years, was charged earlier this year with sexually assaulting 21 male patients.
One of the letters arrived at the office of Calgary lawyer Adriano Iovinelli.
"This is the first time in 16 years that we've ever seen [such a letter]," said Iovinelli. "This is unprecedented."
'Significant position of power'
The letter was sent to lawyers whose clients had been ordered by the court to see Levin "on many occasions." It states: "If you have any concerns about Dr. Levin in his professional capacity, you may also wish to contact the Calgary Police Service."
Alberta Justice said that so far, 59 such letters had been sent out.
"Our primary concern is to see that justice is done," said David Dear, spokesman for the ministry. "Was there any chance that in these cases, from what we can find in the file, that there was anything inappropriate … that may have improperly influenced the outcome?"
Alberta Justice has sent out 59 letters to lawyers whose clients were under court orders to see Dr. Aubrey Levin.Alberta Justice has sent out 59 letters to lawyers whose clients were under court orders to see Dr. Aubrey Levin. (CBC)
Levin, 72, was employed by the courts on numerous occasions where those convicted were ordered to see him before a judge passed sentence.
"It's a court-ordered report," said Iovinelli. "So imagine being an accused and you are looking at a further period of incarceration, a significant period of incarceration, and the opinion of this particular doctor may determine that effect.
"It's a very significant position of power."
Twenty-one men have alleged they were sexually assaulted by Levin during court-ordered psychiatric assessments or counselling sessions, either in his office at the Peter Lougheed hospital in Calgary or in examination rooms.
Linked to apartheid electroshock therapy
Levin is not unfamiliar with controversy.
While a colonel in the South African military under apartheid in the 1970s, he was linked to the use of electroshock aversion therapy, now widely discredited, that was supposed to "cure" gays and lesbians of their homosexuality.
Dr. Aubrey Levin isn't new to controversy, having been linked to the use of electroshock aversion therapy on homosexual soldiers when he was a colonel in the apartheid South Africa military.Dr. Aubrey Levin isn't new to controversy, having been linked to the use of electroshock aversion therapy on homosexual soldiers when he was a colonel in the apartheid South Africa military. (CBC)
Levin's activities were brought up during South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission, but he was never prosecuted for them.
The Alberta College of Physicians and Surgeons, which licensed him in the 1990s, said Levin remains under suspension until his criminal charges are dealt with.
Calgary police won't say if more people have come forward as a result of the letters sent by Alberta Justice.
Nor will the government say how many more people will be contacted, only that Levin was employed by the courts for nearly 13 years.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Levin in June."
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The story can be found at:
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2010/12/22/calgary-aubrey-levin-psychiatrist-sexual-assault-victim-search.html?ref=rss
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PUBLISHER'S NOTE: The Toronto Star, my previous employer for more than twenty incredible years, has put considerable effort into exposing the harm caused by Dr. Charles Smith and his protectors - and into pushing for reform of Ontario's forensic pediatric pathology system. The Star has a "topic" section which focuses on recent stories related to Dr. Charles Smith. It can be accessed at:
http://www.thestar.com/topic/charlessmith
For a breakdown of some of the cases, issues and controversies this Blog is currently following, please turn to:
http://smithforensic.blogspot.com/2010/07/new-feature-cases-issues-and.html
Harold Levy: Publisher; The Charles Smith Blog; hlevy15@gmail.com;
