Evelyn Yang, the wife of Democratic presidential hopeful Andrew Yang, has said she was assaulted by her gynecologist while she was pregnant with their first child.
She has accused Dr. Robert Hadden of assaulting her at his New York practice in 2012.
Speaking to CNN, Evelyn Yang said she didn’t tell her husband at first.
Andrew Yang’s wife is one of 32 women suing Robert Hadden and the university where he practiced.
Dr. Hadden has denied the allegations in a court document. He was convicted of assault in 2016 and surrendered his medical license, but did not serve any jail time after accepting a plea deal.
Evelyn Yang, 38, said she was encouraged to speak out by the warm reception she and her husband had received when talking to voters about their son’s autism.
She revealed on CNN: “Something about being on the trail and meeting people and seeing the difference that we’ve been making already has moved me to share my own story about it, about sexual assault.”
Evelyn Yang said “everyone has their own Me Too story”, referencing the global movement against assault and harassment, but added “not everyone has the audience or platform to tell their story”.
Andrew Yang, a tech entrepreneur who is vying for the Democratic presidential nomination, said he was “extraordinary proud” of his wife.
He said in a statement on January 16: “When victims of abuse come forward, they deserve our belief, support, and protection.
“I hope that Evelyn’s story gives strength to those who have suffered and sends a clear message that our institutions must do more to protect and respond to women.”
Iowa Steak Fry 2020: 17 Democrat Presidential Hopefuls Attend Polka County Steak Fry
Evelyn Yang has accused Dr. Hadden of assaulting her in his examination room when she was seven months pregnant with her first child.
She said she told her husband about the alleged assault after the birth of their child, Christopher.
Evelyn Yang said she was prompted to do so after reading about a woman who had accused Robert Hadden of assault.
Other women came forward and a case against Dr. Hadden was opened by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.
Evelyn Yang helped prosecutors to build their case and testified before a grand jury, which indicted Robert Hadden on multiple sex crime charges in 2014.
In 2016, Robert Hadden accepted a plea deal after admitting one count of forcible touching and one count of third-degree assault. As part of the deal, Hadden was stripped of his medical license but did not go to prison.
