Female surgeons sexually assaulted while operating | Consensus HR – Herts, Beds
Female surgeons say they are being sexually harassed, assaulted and in some cases raped by colleagues, according to a major analysis of NHS staff by the University of Exeter, the University of Surrey and the Working Party on Sexual Misconduct in Surgery that has been shared exclusively with BBC News, which has spoken to women who were sexually assaulted in the operating theatre while surgery took place. The study’s authors say there is a pattern of female trainees being abused by senior male surgeons, and this is happening now, in NHS hospitals. The Royal College of Surgeons said the findings were “truly shocking.” Nearly two-thirds of women surgeons that responded to the researchers said they had been the target of sexual harassment and a third had been sexually assaulted by colleagues in the past five years. Women say they fear reporting incidents will damage their careers and they lack confidence the NHS will take action. Surgical training relies on learning from senior colleagues in the operating theatre and women have told BBC News it is risky to speak out about those who have power and influence over their future careers. The report, which is being published in theBritish Journal of Surgery, is the first attempt to get a sense of the scale of the problem.
Our HR comment: Female surgeons sexually assaulted while operating | Consensus HR – Herts, Beds.
Matthew P Chilcott – FCIPD, ACEL, Owner comments: “What is going on? This news on the BBC today is extremely worrying to say the least and how can anybody be expected to go to work and be treated this way? This should definitely be investigated by the relevant line manager and the appropriate action taken which if proved could be instant dismissal.”
YOUR OUTSOURCED HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT.
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