Sexual Misconduct Resources
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
NHS Lothian Human Resource (HR) enquiries [Intranet link]. Telephone 0131 536 (6)1130 and choose Option 3
Trade union representative
Speak UP if you feel unable to raise a concern using the above routes
Trickle Flares - An anonymous way to seek support. /team/nhs-lothian-dit Check the anonymity pledge.
The MED team would be happy to offer support in doing this.
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.
Dr Simon Edgar, Director of Medical Education, Dr Sara Robinson, Deputy Director of Medicine Education, and anyone with a role within MED can be contacted for advice about how to report concerns.
Escalating concerns- Doctors in Training
The escalating concerns document (below) describes our current processes. More details can be found on our Escalating Concerns page.
Should you prefer to raise your concern outside of your clinical line you can contact your Trade Union or Speak Up for support and advice.
Doctors in Training Support and Reporting Mechanisms Infographic
Escalating concerns- UG Medical Students
Please find information for medical students about escalating concerns via the Report and Support System, which is supported by the Equally Safe Team.
Our escalation document (below) is tailored to help clinicians signpost University of Edinburgh students to reporting mechanisms, but equally can be utilised by clinicians.
Should you prefer to raise your concern outside of your clinical and educational line Speak Up can be contacted for support and advice.
Links embedded within this document include:
Disability and Learning Support Service
If a student not satisfied with the response or agreed actions, after raising concerns and these being escalated appropriately they can be signposted to Independent National Whistleblowing Office (INWO).
Medical Student Support and Reporting Mechanisms infographic
External Reporting Resources
NHS Lothian Speak Up: If you feel unable to contact your line manager, supervisor or lead clinician, or your trade union representative you can contact a Speak Up Advocate. SpeakUp@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk
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.
SurvivorsUK has a free, confidential national online helpline for men
GALOP offer 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 Wellbeing on 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
You can contact your GP to discuss matters relating to your mental health and wellbeing. Your GP can provide more information about relevant services and supports that you can access.
National wellbeing hub offers support for all NHS staff in Scotland
Practitioner Health self-referral for mental health support (NHS staff UK-wide)
Trainee Development and Wellbeing Service Support for NES Doctors in Training
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.