Dozens of women are pursuing compensation from three of Melbourne's largest hospitals after a male doctor allegedly filmed them undressing in toilets and changing rooms without their consent.
News.com.au can reveal that The Austin, The Royal Melbourne, and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre are all facing complaints lodged with the Australian Human Rights Commission for failing to prevent the alleged sexual harassment of employees by trainee doctor Ryan Cho.
Dr. Cho is facing more than 900 charges, including spying, stalking, producing intimate images, and installing optical surveillance devices. Police allegedly discovered thousands of intimate images of women using toilets or showering in hospital bathrooms and a share house between 2021 and 2025.
The files were reportedly organized by name and hospital, with police seizing over 10,000 intimate files, including 4,500 videos, involving at least 406 alleged victims. Dr. Cho, 28, allegedly secretly filmed hundreds of people at Melbourne hospitals.
The young doctor declined to answer questions after indicating he would plead guilty to over 900 charges. Last month, the court heard that Dr. Cho would enter formal guilty pleas in July as his lawyers work with the prosecution to determine next steps.
Meanwhile, dozens of women are seeking assistance from Melbourne law firm Carbone Lawyers for psychological trauma they claim to have suffered due to Dr. Cho's alleged actions in their workplace.
Complaints by Hospital
The Austin Hospital has received the most complaints, with 43 complainants seeking compensation under the Sex Discrimination Act 1984. This is followed by 32 complaints against the Royal Melbourne Hospital and nine against the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.
A complaint form submitted to the Commission, seen by news.com.au, alleges that complainants were discriminated against because of their sex, sexually harassed, and experienced sex-based harassment. Complainants are calling for hospitals to change policies and procedures regarding storage of personal belongings and use of mobile phones and other electronic devices in the workplace. They also stated that the complaint could be resolved if hospitals amended their policies on actioning employee complaints.
Finally, they urged the hospitals to take action to prevent discrimination and sexual harassment and requested compensation.
Hospital Responses
An Austin Health spokesman said the safety of staff was its priority following the distressing situation and that it was working closely with Victoria Police to support the investigation. “Right now, our focus is on caring for our staff. We have comprehensive support services in place and are doing everything we can to help our staff through this challenging time,” he said. “As proceedings are now before the courts, it would be inappropriate to comment further.”
A Royal Melbourne Hospital spokesman condemned the alleged actions of Dr. Cho “in the strongest possible terms” and stated that supporting staff remains its first priority. “Our comprehensive wellbeing and support services remain available to everyone as this matter proceeds,” he said.
A Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre spokesman also said it would continue to provide support to staff through its in-house psychology service and employee assistance program.
The Australian Human Rights Commission declined to comment, stating that it does not release information about individual complaints.
Dr. Cho is out on bail with conditions including a nighttime curfew, no possession of cameras or recording devices, no attendance at hospitals, and engagement in counselling. He was also ordered to provide a $50,000 surety.
