The new research surveyed workers across the United Kingdom (Picture: PA)
New research has revealed NHS staff have been victim of widespread incidents of sexual harassment while at work – ranging from being shown pornographic images, offered money for sex, and being assaulted.
The Unison union said it is shocked by the findings of a wide-ranging survey which revealed one in 10 health workers were victims of harassment.
The study of more than 12,200 health workers showed that one in 10 reported unwanted incidents including being touched or kissed, demands for sex in return for favours, and derogatory comments.
Sexual assault was reported by almost a third of respondents, while half said they have been leered at or been the target of suggestive gestures.
One in four said they have 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, according to the research.
Those who suffered harassment told their stories to the researchers (Picture: PA)
Despite the serious and criminal nature of some of the incidents, half the staff didn’t report sexual harassment to their employer, mainly through fear of being considered ‘over-sensitive’ or believing their employer would not do something.
One incident included a 111 adviser, herself a survivor of sexual abuse, who described being regularly harassed on the phone by anonymous callers. The only response from her managers was to be told it is ‘just part of the job’, said Unison.
The union’s general secretary, Christina McAnea, said: ‘No-one should ever have to endure such despicable behaviour, and certainly not in their place of work.
‘But NHS staff often put up with this appalling abuse, not reporting it because they don’t believe they’ll be taken seriously.
‘More must be done to protect nurses, healthcare assistants, cleaners and other NHS staff from sexual harassment, reassure them their complaints will be fully investigated, and action taken against the perpetrators.’
First hand accounts of harassment in the NHS
“I have witnessed complete blurred boundaries, observed kissing, men grabbing colleagues from behind and pushing themselves into them. There have been foot rubs, massages. I’ve experienced someone inappropriately stroking my arm, someone sneaking up behind me and jabbing their fingers into my ribs, and someone slapping my bum. I even had someone pushing a lock of hair behind my ear when I was alone with them.”
–Pathology technician, Yorkshire and Humberside
“I’ve had comments about my hair, how I look and how they would love to have sex with me, which reminded me of when I was raped at a young age by a male patient.”
-Nurse, West Midlands
“Fairly frequently, members of the public call 111 and try to use it as a sex line. We have a ‘three warnings’ policy before we hang up. Sometimes I have to go through an entire call and assessment with a patient about a personal issue whilst they are making sexual comments and crude jokes the entire time.”
-111 call handler, Wales
Royal College of Nursing chief nurse Professor Nicola Ranger commented: ‘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.’
A Department of Health and Social Security 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 member of staff who have faced these issues to report it within the NHS, and to the police.’
Professor Dame Jane Dacre, Medical Protection Society president, said: ‘We should not accept that any kind of abuse is ‘part of the job’ for healthcare staff.
‘Experiencing and witnessing physical, sexual or verbal abuse can have a lasting and profound impact on mental health and this can be damaging for the individual as well as for patient care. It can also result in healthcare staff needing to take time off work, and even quitting altogether.’
Sir Julian Hartley, chief executive at NHS Providers, said: ‘Trust leaders do not tolerate any form of sexual harassment in the NHS. These findings are deeply concerning and make clear more must be done to stamp out this type of unacceptable behaviour towards staff.
‘Trust leaders are working incredibly hard to ensure every NHS employee is rightly treated with dignity and respect. All staff must be and feel safe at work. This includes feeling confident to speak up and raise concerns.’
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