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Sexual Harassment of Surgeons and Other Medical Professionals
13 December 2023
Lead MP
Rosie Duffield
Canterbury
Ind
Responding Minister
Andrew Stephenson
Tags
Crime & Law EnforcementEmploymentWomen & Equalities
Word Count: 3209
Other Contributors: 2
At a Glance
Rosie Duffield raised concerns about sexual harassment of surgeons and other medical professionals in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
I urge the Government to implement legislation to prevent sexual harassment at work, support employees against third-party harassment, and apply protections to students undergoing vocational training as well. I call for urgent action to eliminate sexual misconduct in healthcare organisations.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
I am concerned about the shocking statistics of sexual assaults in hospitals, with over 6,500 rapes and sexual assaults recorded from January 2019 to a period nearly four years later. These include 13 rapes of males and 4,451 sexual assaults against females. Only 4.1% of cases resulted in charges, raising questions about the effectiveness of current monitoring systems and reporting practices. The report also highlights that many victims suffer in silence due to power dynamics within medical training structures.
Caroline Nokes
Con
Romsey and Southampton North
She agrees with the hon. Lady's point about reporting issues faced by doctors trying to report harassment, citing a witness from Surviving in Scrubs who stated that there is often confusion between trust and GMC responsibilities. There is a real challenge in the NHS where 10% of women reported unwanted sexual conduct in return for career opportunities, highlighting issues related to power dynamics and the need for structural changes to address harassment.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
He congratulates the hon. Lady on securing this debate and highlights a recent survey by the British Medical Association which found that 33% of female and 25% of male respondents had experienced unwanted physical contact in the workplace, noting these are only the figures for those who felt confident enough to come forward.
Government Response
Andrew Stephenson
Government Response
It is a pleasure to see you in the Chair, Mr Mundell. I am grateful to the hon. Member for Canterbury (Rosie Duffield) for raising this incredibly important issue... We will not be satisfied until the number of staff facing sexual harassment is down to zero.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.