Susannah
I am a British woman. In 2004 I went to a gynaecologist appointment in Madrid when I was aged 27 for a follow-up PAP smear test. I had forgotten to bring the results of my previous PAP smear test, done in Japan, so the gynaecologist did not have a written record of my previous result. He was very angry about this and spoke to me aggressively and loudly. He then told me to lie on the examining table. I was very shaken by the bad atmosphere in the room and his anger towards me. I lay down but kept my knees together, feeling vulnerable and exposed. He then barked “Open your legs” and with his hands forcibly pushed my knees apart and performed the smear test. I lay crying silently with my hands over my face. There were two other staff in the room and they watched the incident silently and awkwardly but did not speak up on my behalf. I am now 42, I have given birth twice, and I would not allow this to happen to me today. I would speak up then make a complaint to the clinic. However at the time I was young and very intimidated by his status as a gynaecologist. There was also a language barrier. This is a very bad memory for me that I will carry with me forever. I wish I had spoken up.