On December 24th 2016, a woman went to the Medical Centre next to Mariner Apartments in Port Vila for a mandatory medical examination to confirm she was fit to work overseas. The follow up appointment was made with another doctor at the same facility whom she had previously seen on December 20th. This doctor asked her to wait in the reception area for Dr. Christopher Tarianga to perform an electrocardiogram (ECG), which is a test to check the heart for any abnormalities.
At approximately 11:00am, the woman who is in her 30s, entered the office of Dr. Tarianga, or Dr. Chris as he is more commonly known, where she alleges that he sexually assaulted her.
On Thursday 16th March 2017, Dr. Tarianga was arrested at the premises of Medical Centre and was later charged with two counts of 1) sexual intercourse without consent and 2) act of indecency without consent.
Dr. Tarianga was released on bail on Monday 20th March under the conditions that he is not to alter, amend or dispose of any medical records located in the Medical Centre, to refrain from any kind of contact either directly or indirectly with the complainant, and that he is to appear at the preliminary investigation on April 6th at 2pm.
Dr. Tarianga is denying the allegations. In an interview with Dr Jean Luc Bador regarding this case, it was admitted that at least three complaints have been made in the past regarding Dr. Tarianga’s inappropriate behavior. Although Dr. Tarianga was reprimanded for his behavior, the Medical Centre did not conduct any internal investigations or report the incidents to the police. This is the first time a formal complaint has been legally filed.
In the victim’s impact statement, she says, ‘It is very hard for me to explain what I am going through since Dr Chris abused me. It is a sad and frightening experience for me to think about what this doctor has done.
‘I am sad for his family. I am sad for any other patients that he may have abused. I am sad for Vanuatu that a doctor can abuse his position like this. I am very angry and never want to see his face again.’
She also states that he has ruined her dream to work overseas and that she is now scared of doctors. She lives in fear that she may get hurt for speaking out.
Dr. Tarianga is still continuing to practice at the Medical Centre since his release from bail.
If you or anyone you know has experienced a similar incident, please contact the police.
By Yasmine Bjornum
NOTE: The writer of this article has also filed a verbal complaint to the Medical Centre regarding Dr. Tarianga’s inapporiate behaviour in 2015.
I have also experienced inappropriate behaviour from Dr Chris…. I don’t understand why the medical centre has not suspended him and are allowing him to continue practising if there is a such serious allegation against him? !
If you experienced anything similar, please report to Detective Davis who is charge of the case on 5454500.
The doctor mentioned in your article is the same doctor my daughter complained to me about after she had to get her medical clearance for her New Zealand student visa earlier this year.
Although nothing happened to her my daughter said she felt extremely threatened and uncomfortable by the way this doctor leered at her and the sexually suggestive manner he spoke to her.
To top it all he performed no medical examination (thankfully) and simply signed the form saying my daughter was in good health which, in my opinion, is fraud and places every person who consults him for medical clearance at risk of having their visa applications rejected.
The rape allegation needs to be speedily and properly investigated, and if this and any other allegations are proved correct, this doctor must be removed and never be allowed to practice again.
In the interim I think it prudent that the medical center suspend him or at the very least never allow him to be alone with a female patient failing which I would think this business may be exposing themselves to massive law suite.
I am now really sorry that I regarded this doctors actions toward my daughter as him merely attempting to impress a young and attractive 18 year old expat girl and that I took my daughters complaint no further.
I wish to report an incident where Dr Chris had an affair with a partner of a friend of mine, whilst she sought medical assistance from the Port Vila Medical Center. She was a young mother in her early thirties with children. Her children would wake up in the middle of the night crying for her whilst she was away on her sexual adventures with the whoremonger Dr Chris – at night and during lunch breaks. When Dr Chris’ wife (who works for the Reserve Bank of Vanuatu) was discretely questioned about his absences at night during that period – she confirmed he would be out drinking kava with friends all night during that time.
In revenge, his wife is now giving him the same treatment. It is reported, he drives around at night in his silver Prado with a gun in search for her (in vain) at night. It is said, he purchased the Prado to ‘woo’ his wife back from another young man from Ambae (who his wife left for), after she was traditionally courted by traditional leaders to return to her unfaithful bastard of a husband.
Dr Chris your time is up ! How many other girls and women have you sexually abused and exploited under your profession as a medical doctor. You should be struck off the medical register by the authorities responsible. It took one brave young lady to report your self-fish sexual misdemeanors. Karma has no menu, you get served what you deserve !
Dr. Chris was inappropriate with me in a follow-up visit in 2011. I was 51 years of age at the time. Because I was sailing to New Caledonia immediately, I said nothing, not even to my husband. I did, however, have my husband go in and meet him afterwards. I see the phone number listed above but because I live in another country, could you please provide Detective Davis’ email address? Thank you.
Hi Catherine, please email Detective Davis on [email protected]. Thank you.
Thank you. We are in contact.
This was bound to happen at some point. My close friend went in for an examination only to be spoken to using inappropriate and sexually implicit language while her husband waited patiently for her in the waiting room. she came out of his room dazed by the entire consultation and how it had veered of course! To cut a long story short, complaints were issued and the couple was advised to use any of the other doctors – as if this was sufficient response! It just allowed him to continue with this poor behavior. Put simply, the man should only be allowed to examine farm animals, not human beings and most certainly, not women! The Vanuatu Medical Council should just remove his licence.