2020 Democratic presidential contender Andrew Yang’s wife is sharing with the public a story she has kept secret for a long time.
Yang’s wife, Evelyn Yang, appeared on CNN, where she revealed how her OB-GYN, Dr. Robert Hadden, allegedly sexually assaulted her in early 2012 when she was pregnant.
She told CNN that Hadden worked at Columbia University. As months went on during her pregnancy, she said she received inappropriate questions on her sex life, and “the examinations became longer, more frequent.”
At the time, Evelyn Yang said she just thought, “‘OK, so my doctor is pervy. I have a pervy doctor, but I’m going to focus on having a healthy baby,’ and the idea of changing doctors was overwhelming for me.”
Months went by and when Evelyn Yang was seven months pregnant, she said, “I was in the exam room, and I was dressed and ready to go. Then, at the last minute, he kind of made up an excuse. He said something about, ‘I think you might need a C-section,’ and he proceeded to grab me over to him and undress me and examine me internally, ungloved.”
“I knew it was wrong,” she said, adding, “I knew I was being assaulted.”
She continued, “I just kind of froze like a deer in headlights, just frozen. I knew it was happening. I could feel it. I remember trying to fix my eyes on a spot on the wall and just trying to avoid seeing his face as he was assaulting me, just waiting for it to be over.”
Watch the interview below:
Hadden has denied the allegations made.
He eventually left the practice, and was accused of allegedly assaulting another woman. More women came out accusing Hadden as well.
Evelyn Yang told her husband about what had happened when she found out that Hadden left the practice and the other woman came out with the sexual assault accusation.
“I’m extraordinarily proud of Evelyn for telling her story, and my heart breaks every time I think of what she had to experience,” Andrew Yang said in a statement on Thursday. “She is my best friend and the bravest woman I know.”
He continued:
“No one deserves to be harmed and treated the way she and countless other women have been. 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.”
In 2016, Hadden received a plea deal, and he pleaded guilty to two charges. He lost his medical license and had to register as a sex offender.
Now, Evelyn Yang is among 31 other women suing Columbia University.