While this has probably always been an issue in not only health care, but in all industries, sexual misconduct is receiving a lot more attention lately and for some very good reasons. Studies show that over 10% of clinicians in the United States report they have been sexually abused, harassed or have experienced sexually inappropriate behaviors to some degree within the last couple years. Up to 14% say they have not been on the receiving end, but have witnessed sexual misconduct in their place of employment.
What Is Sexual Misconduct?
Sexual misconduct or sexually inappropriate behaviors violate ethical and professional boundaries. They can also cross legal boundaries as well and be considered criminal acts in certain situations.
Verbal Advances
Such acts can begin as receiving unwanted sexual text messages or emails containing sexually suggestive and explicit material. These acts can also take place in person and involve inappropriate comments about anatomy or body parts. Much worse, some individuals will verbally proposition their colleagues or sometimes patients to engage in sexual activity with them.
Power and Authority
Asking for a date at work is viewed by most companies as inappropriate in the first place, but repeatedly asking and harassing a colleague or coworker is crossing ethical boundaries. Some individuals in powerful positions may offer a promotion for sex in exchange or they may threaten their employee with some kind of punishment for refusing to go along with their request.
Going Too Far
Some individuals will go much further than sending texts, asking for dates or using punishment to get what they want. They may resort to being physically inappropriate in the workplace and deliberately infringe on an employee’s body space. An employee may be the victim of physical touching, groping, or unwelcomed hugging. Some individuals may touch themselves in front of employees and in the worst-case scenario, some may resort to rape.
Who Is the Victim?
The majority of employees who have been exposed to sexual misconduct are women. While men are victimized as well, they have a 66% less chance of being on the receiving end of sexually inappropriate behaviors in the workplace. Roughly the same percentage of men and women have been witnesses to sexual misconduct at work.
Who Are the Perpetrators?
Sexual misconduct is many times an act involving power or control over employees by some type of leader. In some studies, physicians are the main perpetrators of sexual misconduct, as are administrators, management-level staff, non-medical personnel, and patients. On the low end are nurses, medical students, and nurse practitioners. Superiors aren’t always the perpetrators. Subordinates can also engage in sexually inappropriate behaviors with their equals and executive-level staff.
What Can be Done?
First and foremost, no one should be the victim of sexual misconduct in the workplace or anywhere else for that matter. Companies and employees should maintain a Zero-Tolerance policy regarding such behaviors. Any type of sexually inappropriate behavior needs to be reported and an investigation should follow. Not reporting only hurts the victim all over again and allows for this type of behavior to continue to the next victim. Employees can reach out to someone they trust in the workplace for help and advice. They can also call the National Sexual Assault Hotline – 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
Take Away
Sexual misconduct has occurred in every industry for years and health care is no exception. Sometimes the perpetrator is someone in power, and there are times a subordinate engages in crossing ethical boundaries. Regardless of who it is, victims get hurt, suffer psychologically and emotionally, and sometimes are forced to leave their place of employment out of fear. Sexual misconduct should not be acceptable in any workplace and must not be tolerated.