In recent weeks, three deeply troubling cases of sexual abuse have come to light across the United States and the United Kingdom, exposing persistent failures in institutions meant to protect the vulnerable. From a high-profile conviction of a New York doctor, to a sprawling investigation at a Florida church and school, and a new probe into decades-old crimes at a notorious British reform school, the stories reveal a pattern of betrayal and the long shadows cast by abuse.
On August 28, 2025, the Queens district attorney’s office announced that Dr. Zhi Alan Cheng, a 35-year-old former physician at New York-Presbyterian Queens hospital, was sentenced to 24 years in prison. According to the Associated Press, Cheng admitted to sexually abusing seven women, including three sedated patients at the hospital and several unconscious women at his home. The crimes, which spanned years, came to light after a female acquaintance discovered a video of her own assault on Cheng’s device in 2022. Subsequent searches uncovered further evidence, including videos of abuse at both his home and workplace, as well as liquid anesthesia.
Most of Cheng’s victims had no memory of the abuse, as they were sedated at the time. In one harrowing instance, a woman awoke during a gastrointestinal procedure to find herself being assaulted. Cheng pleaded guilty in June to four counts of rape and three counts of sexual abuse. Prosecutors also alleged the abuse of an eighth patient, for which Cheng entered an Alford plea—acknowledging that there was sufficient evidence for a conviction without admitting guilt. He has since been barred from practicing medicine. New York-Presbyterian officials fully cooperated with investigators, but the case has raised fresh questions about oversight and patient safety in medical settings.
Meanwhile, in Ormond Beach, Florida, a separate investigation is underway into Riverbend Community Church and its associated Christian school, Riverbend Academy. On August 18, 2025, the Ormond Beach Police Department (OBPD) opened an inquiry into allegations of sexual abuse stretching back more than two decades. Police Chief Jesse Godfrey emphasized the seriousness of the matter, stating, “We take these allegations very seriously and are committed to supporting potential victims and protecting this community, all while conducting a thorough and impartial investigation.”
The OBPD is seeking information from anyone who may have been affected, including possible current victims. In a statement, the church elders expressed shock and heartbreak: “We were not aware of these things and are brokenhearted to learn about egregious sin in our church’s past.” They encouraged victims to come forward, pledging, “We desire to know the truth and set things right… These things are all very new to us, and we are humbly committed to truth, safety, transparency, and justice as we work through this.”
Survivors and advocates have taken to social media to share their stories. On August 21, a Substack post detailed eleven first-hand accounts of abuse at Riverbend, alongside results from a survey of 63 women associated with the church. The findings are sobering: 29.5% reported they were manipulated or coerced into sexual behavior by adult male church members or youth leaders when they were minors, while 36.7% reported receiving romantic or sexual attention from an adult man at the church during their youth. Survivors allege that church leadership repeatedly dismissed or retaliated against reports of abuse. “We know that for years, women have gone to pastors and elders directly with credible allegations of sexual abuse and spiritual manipulation, while others have reached out through intermediaries or confided in trusted church members,” the post reads. “These efforts have been met with dismissal, silence, retaliation, or, worst of all, performative action followed by a quiet return to the status quo.”
As the investigation continues, MinistryWatch, a watchdog organization, has highlighted the importance of transparency and best practices in Christian organizations. Their recommendations include thorough vetting and background checks, anti-nepotism policies, clear codes of conduct, and legal compliance to prevent abuse and protect vulnerable individuals. The hope is that by shining a light on these cases, other institutions will be prompted to strengthen their safeguards and accountability measures.
Across the Atlantic, a new investigation has reignited painful memories for survivors of Berrow Wood School, a reform school for boys in Worcestershire and Gloucestershire, England. West Mercia Police confirmed they are looking into fresh allegations against at least 14 former staff members, some of whom remain alive. The BBC reports that between 1968 and 1991, nine former teachers and workers at the school were convicted of physically and sexually abusing pupils, many of whom had already experienced trauma and were sent to the school by local authorities from across England.
Chris Brosnan, who was sent to Berrow Wood in 1978 at age 12, described the experience as life-altering and deeply scarring. “The level of PTSD that was implanted first came from seeing how other boys were treated and I knew the treatment would come my way,” he told the BBC. Brosnan, who was not diagnosed at the time but is now recognized as neurodivergent, recounted daily abuse, both sexual and physical. After leaving the school at 16, he struggled with homelessness and survival, later becoming involved in the music industry. Decades on, he remains haunted by his experiences and is seeking government accountability. “No-one has ever listened to me and I need some accountability from the government,” he said. “I’m still traumatised by it at 59 years of age, I still carry the abuse somewhere in my subconscious.”
Other survivors, like Wayne Rudge and "David" (not his real name), echoed these sentiments, describing the lasting impact of the abuse on their lives. Rudge, who was sent to Berrow Wood at age 12, witnessed and endured horrific abuse, which left him wary of authority and struggling to adjust to adult life. “I just want to be in a place on my own, left alone,” he said. David, who battled addiction after his time at the school, described a regime of daily beatings and a lack of aftercare or apology from authorities.
The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), which concluded after seven years and heard from hundreds of victims, recommended a redress scheme for survivors. However, as of April 2025, the government announced it was “not currently taking forward any further steps” with the scheme, citing fiscal challenges and the scope of the problem. Abuse lawyer Peter Garsden called the decision an “insult” to survivors, while a Home Office spokesperson insisted the government was “committed to take a range of action against the recommendations” and to drive forward measures to stop child sexual abuse.
These three cases, though separated by geography and context, share a common thread: institutions entrusted with care and authority failed to protect those most at risk, often compounding the trauma by ignoring or dismissing pleas for help. As survivors continue to seek justice and support, their stories serve as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance, transparency, and compassion in all places of trust—be they hospitals, churches, or schools.