Understanding Sexual Misconduct

For a clear understanding of sexual misconduct, please review the definitions provided by the Working Party on Sexual Misconduct in Surgery (WPSMS).

The GMC has published a resource on Identifying and Tackling Sexual Misconduct: This resource provides advice on recognizing behaviours and cultures that may lead to sexual misconduct and outlines suggestions for maintaining appropriate boundaries between healthcare professionals and patients, colleagues, and students.

Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023 introduces a duty on employers to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace. Employers are now required to take preventive action against potential sexual harassment, aiming to pre-empt such incidents rather than just responding afterward.

Seeking Support: Important Steps

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual misconduct, you can seek support from these resources:

• NHS: Help After Rape and Sexual Assault offers medical, practical, and emotional support through Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs).

• Rape Crisis England & Wales and Rape Crisis Scotland provides a 24/7 Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Line

• Legal Advice: The Equality and Human Rights Commission has published guidance about the new duty on employers to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment.

Access to Psychological Support

• Frontline19: offers free therapy sessions for frontline workers.

• British Medical Association (BMA): provides free, confidential, 24/7 counselling and peer support services for doctors and medical students.

• LGBT community: Additional advice and resources are availableat gov.uk and LGBT.ie in Ireland.

You Are Not Alone

• Surviving in Scrubs: An initiative by doctors who have experienced sexual abuse, offering a platform to share stories. Additional resources can be found at The Survivors Trust.

Advice for Those Receiving Reports of Sexual Misconduct

• NHS England: National sexual misconduct people policy framework. This policy is for trusts to adopt to ensure members of staff are fully supported. An e-learning resource for employers is available to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills to recognise and respond to sexual misconduct.

• WPSMS Support Guidance for educators and managers can be accessed here. This document provides guidance on supporting someone who confides in you. If you witness sexual misconduct

• Guidance for Educators and Managers: The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd) provides guidance for healthcare organisations on fostering a safe and open working environment.

• Witnessing Misconduct: The Professional Standards Authority (PSA) offers information on addressing sexual misconduct between healthcare practitioners and its impact on patient safety.