A Melbourne physio accused of sexually assaulting two female patients can return to work after winning a bid to reverse his suspension.
Hany (known as Harry) Bebawy was immediately suspended by the Physiotherapy Board of Australia in April after being charged with two counts of sexual assault.
Court documents reveal the charges follow allegations from a female patient in November 2022 who said Bebawy "massaged" her breasts and moved her underwear aside to touch her genitals during a consultation.
In June 2023, a second female patient notified the medical regulator that he had given her a therapy massage "on the buttocks and upper thigh area very close to the perineum".
Bebawy denied the sexual assault allegations to the board and has indicated he will defend the criminal charges. He is expected to face the Melbourne Magistrates Court for a contest mention on July 12.
The physiotherapist, who runs three clinics in Melbourne, argued to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal that he should be able to return to work, with restrictions, until the matters go to court.
While the Physiotherapy Board conceded it no longer believes Bebawy "poses a serious risk", it fought to continue the suspension on the grounds of public interest and confidence.
"There is a strong public interest in a physiotherapist, who has been charged with sexual assault of a patient during a consultation and who is the subject of a related complaint by another patient," the board submitted to the tribunal.
Despite this, tribunal deputy president Ian Proctor last week granted a stay on Bebawy's suspension, provided he does not "have contact with any female patients".
"A gender condition will sufficiently support the maintenance of the public interest in confidence in the regulatory system," Mr Proctor said in his written decision.
"Bebawy has overwhelming incentive to comply with gender conditions and give the board no additional reason to be concerned as to his registration as a physiotherapist."
