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Resources for those who have experienced sexual misconduct in the workplace

For immediate support:

Police Scotland if you wish to report a crime

CrimeStoppers UK charity that facilitates anonymous reporting of crimes. Contact on 0800 555 111 or by using our simple anonymous online form.

Sexual Assault Response Coordination Service (SARCS) can help arrange care for you in the days following a rape or sexual assault. They may be able to arrange forensic examination after a recent sexual assault in order to collect evidence of a crime, without making a report to the police at that time. They also provide supportive follow-up and counselling services.

To raise a concern regarding sexual harassment within the workplace contact:

Clinical Director for your service

Employer Human Resources

Trade union representative

Trainee Development and Wellbeing Service (TDWS)

https://www.scotlanddeanery.nhs.scot/trainer-information/programme-director-handbook/trainee-development-wellbeing-service-tdws/

 

GMC Guidance on sexual misconduct:  Allegations of sexual misconduct: support for employers and Responsible Officers

 

Sexual misconduct definition

Sexual misconduct, is a term to describe sexual harassment, sexual assault and rape.

Sexual harassment is unwanted sexual behaviour which can be threatening and intimidating, can compromise your dignity, and can cause offence, fear or humiliation.

Sexual harassment may be verbal or physical and can include:

  • Sexual comments or noises – for example, catcalling or wolf-whistling
  • Sexual gestures
  • Leering, staring or suggestive looks.
  • Sexual ‘jokes’, sexual innuendos or suggestive comments
  • Unwanted sexual advances or flirting
  • Sexual requests or asking for sexual favours
  • Sending unsolicited messages with sexual content
  • Intrusive questions about a person’s private or sex life
  • Someone discussing their own sex life
  • Commenting on someone’s body, appearance or what they’re wearing
  • Spreading sexual rumours
  • Displaying images of a sexual nature
  • Unwanted physical contact of sexual nature – for example, brushing up against someone or hugging, kissing or massaging them
  • Stalking
  • Indecent exposure
  • Taking a photo or video under another’s person clothing – what is known as ‘up-skirting’

Sexual harassment can leave you feeling frightened, angry, ashamed or embarrassed. It is important to remember that if this happens to you, it is not your fault.

 

Reporting concerns

We recognise there remain significant perceived barriers to reporting incidents. The WPSMS report identified three significant themes which prevented reporting;

  • Fear
  • Inadequate responses to reports
  • Culture

We want to support you in reporting incidents.

We acknowledge the recommendation of the WPSMS to “Reform the reporting and investigation processes of sexual misconduct in health care, to improve safety and confidence in raising concerns and to ensure investigations are external, independent and fit for purpose”. We are working in collaboration to address this.

 

External Reporting Resources

  • The GMC ethical hub pages on Speaking up provide advice and tools to help doctors to raise concerns
  • The GMC’s confidential helpline can also provide guidance on how to raise concerns you might be struggling with. You can remain anonymous if you prefer. Although staff are not trained to provide legal or counselling support in relation to sexual misconduct, they can signpost to other organisations. It is available Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm on 0161 923 6399
  • The Independent National Whistleblowing Officer available in Scotland provides information, advice and support on raising concerns
  • Protect is a UK-wide charity that advises and supports individuals and encourages safe whistleblowing

 

Signposting for support

If you have been sexually assaulted or raped;

Sexual Assault Response Coordination Service (SARCS) can help arrange care for you in the days following a rape or sexual assault. They may be able to arrange forensic examination after a recent sexual assault in order to collect evidence of a crime, without making a report to the police at that time. They also provide supportive follow-up and counselling services.

Rape Crisis Centre: Supporting Survivors of Sexual Violence

Scottish Women’s Rights Centre Support for women affected by abuse in Scotland

Advice helplines

  • GMC Ethical hub: Identifying and Tackling Sexual Misconduct
  • Rights of Women’s helpline provides free and confidential legal advice to women in dealing with sexual harassment at work. Tel 020 7490 0152.
  • SurvivorsUKhas a free, confidential national online helpline for men
  • GALOPoffer a free, confidential and independent helpline and support service for all LGBT+ people who’ve experienced sexual assault, violence or abuse.
  • You can contact the BMA Wellbeingon 0330 123 1245; Free, confidential, 24/7 counselling and peer support services are open to all doctors and medical students

 

 Mental Health Support

Experiencing sexual misconduct can have enduring impacts on your mental health

 

A note on the language we have chosen to use

This work raises issues which are sensitive and personal. We acknowledge that the language we choose to use can have an impact on those reading. We have been guided by the Working Party on Sexual Misconduct in Surgery (WPSMS) report in our choice of language; their work was informed by direct experience of discussing with a wide variety of professionals including those impacted by sexual misconduct.

We do not use the terms ‘victim’ or ‘survivor’. While victim is used as a legal term, the common usage of the words ‘victim’ and ‘survivor’ can confer an assumption as to how a person who has been targeted by a perpetrator feels. Many reported to WPSMS they feel neither of the above but are simply angry at what happened to them, furious that justice has not been served and morally injured by the fact that the person who assaulted them, remains in post.

We acknowledge those engaging with this website page may feel differently about our language choice, and that is valid. Please get in touch, if you feel we could use language in a different way that feels more supportive.

This page was last updated on: 29.09.2024 at 20.14


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