Sexual harassment is rife in the NHS – I know because I was subject to it for years

The phrase I heard most often when people defended the harassment was ‘it’s just a bit of fun’. It certainly wasn’t fun for me

There is an undeniable power imbalance within the healthcare system (iStock)

When I read the news that nearly one in ten healthcare staff reported being sexually harassed in the past year I was surprised. I expected the number to be much higher. I worked in the NHS for nine years and the culture of lewd, disgraceful behaviour passed off as “banter” is one of the main reasons I left.

I joined the NHS as an administrator because I wanted to work for an organisation that made a difference to people’s lives. I was enticed by talk of an inclusive, friendly environment with values of dignity, respect, care and compassion. I was sold a lie. Scratch the surface and you will find an insidious culture of sexual harassment passed off as jokes where complaints fall on deaf ears.

I worked in a surgical waiting list office and only one out of 17 consultant surgeons were female. Interacting with male doctors was part of the job and treatment varied – at best you would be regarded with vague disdain and at worst you would be treated like a piece of meat.

There was one consultant who was notorious for his predatory behaviour. Sadly, I didn’t know of his reputation before applying for the job. You could feel his presence before you saw him. He’d creep into the office, come up behind you at your desk, place his hand on your shoulder and talk to you while looking down your top. The act of his hand on your shoulder indicated he was in charge and you felt trapped and helpless. He chose not to wear underwear under his surgical scrubs and he was often visibly aroused. When I spoke to my line manager about his behaviour, she told me he was “harmless.” I suddenly realised why the job I’d gotten was advertised so frequently – most employees only lasted a few months. I later learned he harassed a member of the nursing staff and was eventually disciplined, but only after years of ignored complaints.

When I first started in the office older female colleagues told me to dress down because I had big boobs and would be an easy target. After receiving some unsavory comments about my “jugs” I became isolated and would mostly stay in the office, even during lunch. When I did venture out during breaks I was jeered at by male members of staff, told I was a slut and a tease and asked if I fancied a shag after work. If I ignored the jibes I was called a “frigid bitch” and told to “lighten up”. The phrase I heard most often when people defended the harassment was “it’s just a bit of fun.” It certainly wasn’t fun for me.

The report by Unison, titled “It’s Never OK“ reveals that the vast majority of those targeted were women (81 per cent) and the most common unwanted experiences were verbal with remarks, “banter” or “jokes” affecting 64 per cent of those who suffered harassment. Respondents feared coming forward because they felt nothing would be done, they would suffer repercussions, or they’d be dismissed as “oversensitive.” Verbal sexual harassment is often minimised but you don’t need to lay a hand on someone to assault them.

Commenting on the report, Unison assistant general secretary Christina McAnea said: “Staff should never have to face any kind of abuse, let alone sexually motivated insults and attacks. Many nurses, cleaners and administrative workers feel they have to put up with appalling behaviour as nothing will be done. This is generally because the perpetrators are in a position of power – or believe they are untouchable.”

There is an undeniable power imbalance within the healthcare system. Two in three consultants are men, 81 per cent of NHS England employees in the lowest paid roles are female and the gender pay gap means that male doctors earn 17 per cent more than their female counterparts.

I wonder if the percentage of those who reported suffering sexual harassment was lower than I expected because victims had already left the NHS. I worked with over a dozen colleagues who left their roles because their working environment was toxic. Friends in nursing who asked to be transferred to female specialties because they couldn’t stand being flashed at by patients. A female porter who took another job after learning her male colleagues graded female co-workers by how much they wanted to shag them.

The NHS is in crisis and until they can provide a working environment where their employees feel comfortable reporting harassment, they are guilty of facilitating abusive behaviour. It’s time for an NHS #Metoo movement. Hopefully more victims will feel comfortable reporting abuse now they know they are not alone.