Dr Wayne Sefton Davis

Dr Wayne Sefton Davis, a respected general practitioner in North Manchester, has been sentenced to eight years in prison for committing sexual offences against vulnerable young women in the orthodox Jewish community. The abuses, which spanned over a decade from 1995 to 2006, involved unnecessary and invasive vaginal examinations that were medically unwarranted, exploiting the trust placed in him as a trusted family doctor.

Davis, who operated his practice in Salford, was well-known within the orthodox Jewish community, where his wife ran the local girls’ seminary. Young women, often newly married and with limited understanding of their bodies and intimacy, were routinely referred to him by family members or community leaders for health checks or post-marriage examinations. The victims, described as barely out of childhood, reported feeling violated by Davis's actions, which included assault by penetration and sexual assault. These offences remained hidden for nearly 30 years due to cultural barriers, including a reluctance to speak ill of a fellow community member and a lack of belief in women's accounts of abuse, particularly when perpetrated by an upright male figure.

The case came to light through the extraordinary bravery of the victims, who risked ostracisation, bullying, and disbelief by coming forward. Convicted in December 2023 following a complex trial, reporting restrictions were only lifted recently, allowing public disclosure. According to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), as detailed in their official statement (CPS North West News), Davis was found guilty of sexually assaulting female patients during consultations. The Manchester Evening News reported on the victims' testimonies, with one stating, 'I feel broken, damaged' (MEN Article), highlighting the profound impact of the abuse.

This marked a landmark case as the first successful multi-victim prosecution involving a high-profile Jewish perpetrator and Jewish victims in the UK. The trial underscored systemic issues in reporting sexual abuse within tight-knit communities, where victims face disproportionate deterrents to disclosure. Greater Manchester Police led the investigation, culminating in Davis's sentencing at Manchester Crown Court. The conviction serves as a critical step in addressing long-standing cover-ups and encouraging other survivors to seek justice.