Additional statement from the Medical Women’s Federation about Sexual Harassment and other unacceptable behaviours by colleagues
Background information is at: https://www.wpsms.org.uk/
15 September 2023
The Medical Women's Federation has been campaigning for women doctors and medical students, and about health issues, since 1917. We know there are huge differences in experiences for women doctors including sexism and sexual harassment. These have catastrophic impacts on their lives and careers. Change has been too limited and too slow. Losing and ignoring this excellent workforce has a huge negative impact on patients and the NHS. We urge women doctors and medical students to join us (student membership is £5). Others can follow us, sign up for MWF newsletters, respect all staff, be allies and 'call in' the behaviour of others. This is part of a broader conversation about culture. MWF has previously made recommendations on how to tackle sexism in medicine and improve structures around parenting in surgery. Other countries and other industries have changed. MWF is absolutely ready to be part of the solution. We would expect to be invited to any forum that can bring change.
Professor Scarlett McNally
President, MWF
MWF Statement on research paper: ‘Sexual harassment, sexual assault and rape by colleagues in the surgical workforce, and how women and men are living different realities: observational study using NHS population-derived weights’ Begeny et al (2023)
The Medical Women’s Federation recognises the significance of the findings of this important piece of research into sexual harassment, sexual assault and rape within the surgical workforce.
We are deeply concerned at the findings of this research that highlights the prevalence of sexual harassment and assault faced by our female surgical colleagues. Over the past five years, 63.3% of female surgeons reported sexual harassment, 29.9% reported sexual assault and 10.9% reported experiencing forced physical contact for career opportunities. Instances of rape (a criminal act) were also reported. We are also concerned that participants in this study reported a lack of faith in regulatory bodies to deal with reports of sexual harassment and assault.
The consequences of these horrific acts are substantial. Victims of sexual harassment often have long-term consequences to their mental and physical health. In addition, these events could adversely impact careers and prevent women from progressing in their chosen specialty. This is of particular importance within surgical specialties where women remain underrepresented and progress to rectify this gender imbalance has been slow. Sexual harassment within the workplace could play a significant role in deterring women from completing surgical training. The normalization of such behavior, which is often excused as ‘banter’, must end. Along with the impact of sexual harassment on the wellbeing and careers of female surgeons, it is also damaging to patients whose care suffers under teams of doctors working in hostile environments.
We are horrified at the findings of this research and join the authors in their call for urgent, long overdue change. We support the recommendations of The Working Party on Sexual Misconduct in Surgery (WPSMS). Regulatory bodies, employers and training authorities need to work together to improve damaging workplace cultures, understand further the barriers to reporting and develop robust pathways to deal with perpetrators. Everyone within the surgical environment has a duty to create a safe working culture, including being an active bystander, challenging and improving poor behaviours. It is imperative that immediate and meaningful action is taken if we are to safeguard our female surgical colleagues at work and prevent further harm to patients caused by dysfunctional, toxic teams.
The MWF stands in solidarity with our surgical colleagues who have experienced sexual harassment, assault and rape. We believe you and we stand with you. We sincerely hope that this research is a catalyst for much needed change within the medical profession. The MWF has been campaigning on behalf of women doctors since 1917 and will continue to do so.
Dr Jasmine Thomas
Campaigns officer, Medical Women’s Federation
September 2023
