Posted 09 April 2024 - 11:44
Posted 09 April 2024 - 11:44
News
Sexual harassment faced by hundreds of NHS staff goes unreported
Incidents range from crude banter to being touched or kissed and demands for sex, but half of staff affected do not make complaints, survey finds
Incidents range from crude banter to being touched or kissed and demands for sex, but half of staff affected do not make complaints, survey finds
NHS staff including nurses have been touched or kissed, offered money for sex and assaulted at work, a survey has revealed.
In a survey by Unison of more than 12,200 health workers, one in ten reported experiencing such unwanted incidents. Sexual assault was experienced by 29% of respondents who had been subjected to harassment, while half said they had been leered at or been the target of suggestive gestures.
Unwelcome sexual advances and crude ‘banter’ or jokes in the workplace
One in four of those who had been harassed said they had suffered unwelcome sexual advances, propositions or demands for sexual favours.
Crude banter or jokes were the most common issue, reported by three in five workers who had experienced some form of harassment, the survey showed.
But half the staff affected had not reported such sexual harassment to their employer, mainly due to fear of being considered over-sensitive or a belief that the employer would not act on their complaint.
Employers must take swift action when workers flag up incidents, says union
Unison general secretary Christina McAnea said more must be done to protect nurses and other NHS staff from sexual harassment and to reassure them their complaints would be fully investigated and action taken against perpetrators.
‘Employers must take swift action when workers flag up incidents, regardless of whether the sexual harassment has come from a patient or a colleague,’ she said. ‘Otherwise, this completely unacceptable behaviour will simply continue.’
RCN chief nurse Nicola Ranger said: ‘These figures paint an incredibly disturbing picture. Nursing staff should be able to come to work and expect the NHS to be a safe place – and not face the risk of assault, harassment or abuse.
‘Employers must do all they can to protect staff as they do their jobs and create an environment where they can confidently report incidents and know they will be taken seriously, and all appropriate action will be taken.
‘Otherwise, our health and care service will suffer the effects of even more nursing staff leaving the profession.’
NHS organisations ‘have a responsibility to protect both staff and patients’
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: ‘Sexual violence or misconduct of any kind is unacceptable and NHS organisations have a responsibility to protect both staff and patients.
‘We have a zero tolerance approach and will continue to work with the NHS to ensure that they are taking measures to stop sexual assaults from happening, and to ensure staff feel comfortable raising concerns. We encourage any staff who have faced these issues to report it within the NHS, and to the police.’
An NHS sexual safety charter launched by NHS England in September 2023 features ten pledges including commitments to provide clear reporting mechanisms, staff training and support.
NHS Providers chief executive Sir Julian Hartley said more must be done to stamp out unacceptable behaviour towards staff and trust leaders are working hard to ensure every NHS employee is treated with dignity and respect. ‘All staff must be and feel safe at work. This includes feeling confident to speak up and raise concerns.’
In other news