7NEWS Investigation Inspires Law Protecting Victims of Sex Crimes

The Colorado attorney general's office must now advise victims of sex crimes committed by doctors of their rights to pursue criminal and civil charges against those doctors.

"I was suprised that there were licensing boards that had access to information of a potential crime and had not reported it.," Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter told 7NEWS.

When victims of sexual assault committed by doctors filed complaints with the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, the doctor's license to practice was revoked if the complaint was verified.

But, the state attorney general's office was not required to report the doctor's crime to local district attorneys or advised the victims that they could pursue criminal and civil charges.

The new law, signed by Ritter, mandates that victims who report a sexual assault to the medical licensing board must now be given specific contact information for a district attorney. The victim must also be advised of their rights to pursue criminal or civil charges and the time period in which those charges are viable.

Ritter said, "It needed to be addressed and it is addressed in this legislation."

The state Legislature took action after the 7NEWS investigation revealed that the attorney general's office did not report suspected felonies to local district attorneys.

The 7NEWS investigation showed doctors, like Kim Nagel, were not prosecuted for sex crimes even though he admitted having sexual relationships with two patients. That is a felony in Colorado.

Nagel was a psychiatrist until he surrendered his license in 2004 after admitting to the misconduct.

Because there was no criminal prosecution Nagel can reapply for a license to practice.

When questioned by 7NEWS, Nagel denied any wrongdoing and said he should get his license back.

Ritter told 7NEWS, "The victims who report to the licensing board can rest assured that there is a requirement in the law that [the licensing board] report it."