Over 80% of health care professionals have witnessed sexual misconduct in the workplace. Those who see sexual misconduct may feel uncomfortable themselves, they may feel uncertain as to how they may intervene or feel guilty if they take no action. They may come over time to view the behaviour as normalised within their work environment and risk becoming perpetrators themselves.
The GMC defines Sexual misconduct as uninvited or unwelcome behaviour of a sexual nature, or which can reasonably be interpreted as sexual, that offends, embarrasses, harms, humiliates or intimidates an individual or group. [1]
- Does someone looks uncomfortable,upset or frightened?
- What about their body language – are they trying to move away?
- Perhaps your colleague’s jokes are not received as “banter” by the whole of their audience.
- Do they really want to be having that intense one to one conversation?
- Do members of your team seem to be avoiding each other?
[1] General Medical Council (2024) Identifying and Tackling Sexual Misconduct. Available at: https://www.gmc-uk.org/professional-standards/ethical-hub/identifying-and-tackling-sexual-misconduct Accessed: 09.12.2023
[2] Rape Crisis Scotland (2015) Information and support for anyone experiencing sexual violence and harassment in the workplace. Available at: https://www.rapecrisisscotland.org.uk/resources/sexualharassment.pdf Accessed: 09.12.2023
[3] National Sexual Violence Resource Center (2018) NSVRC Tip Sheet, Bystander Intervention Tips and Strategies. Available at: https://www.nsvrc.org/sites/default/files/2018-02/publications_nsvrc_tip-sheet_bystander-intervention-tips-and-strategies_1.pdf