Two in five female medical students experience sexual violence in the UK

‘Disheartening’ data has revealed that two in five (41%) female medical students in the UK have suffered from sexual violence.

The survey, carried out by the BMA and Surviving in Scrubs, received responses from over 1,000 students. 

It saw 18% of respondents saying they had been targeted by sexual harassment or assault while on clinical placement. 

And a disturbing number of the recorded incidents of sexual violence mentioned criminal offences: including 37 incidents of rape or assault by penetration; and 43 cases of drink spiking.

The report looking at students’ experience of sexism and sexual violence also showed that some felt they were receiving ‘gender-based’ career advice, including feeling pushed towards working in general practice as it is perceived to be ‘more compatible’ with family planning and childcare responsibilities. 

One respondent said: ‘I was steered away from surgery and told to consider general practice because it’s more compatible with having children.’

The ‘Sexism and sexual violence towards medical students’ poll also revealed the lack of support and belief in medical schools that victims of sexual violence had when it came to reporting incidents:

• 60% did not have confidence that their medical school would adequately handle a future sexual violence complaint;
• Two-thirds (67%) of students who experienced sexual violence at university did not report the incident
• Three–quarters (74%) of students who experienced sexual violence on clinical placement did not report the incident

For those that did report sexual harassment or assault to their medical school, only 26% were satisfied with the outcome when the incident took place at university. That number rose slightly to 31% concerning those that occurred on clinical placements. 

The most common reasons given as to why students may not report an incident of sexual violence to their university were that they: did not believe anything would be done; were concerned about the negative impacts on their education; and did not know how to report.  

One female student who was sexually assaulted by a senior doctor said: ‘The reporting process has been retraumatising and destructive and has dragged on for over a year. 

‘It has left me with little faith in the system, and I do not feel that students are being protected enough. Despite standing up for myself, I still do not feel safe. 

She added that when she tried to raise concerns, she was ‘warned’ against speaking out because of ‘possible repercussions’, and that she had to repeatedly disclose the incident in order to get the right support.

‘Students are left to fall through the cracks. While we are held to the same professional standards as doctors, this professional status does not extend to our safeguarding. 

‘We work in NHS hospitals without the protections afforded to NHS staff. Meanwhile university processes are not geared to handle what happens on placement.’

The paper’s recommendations include getting medical schools to collaborate and agree consistent sanctioning guidelines for sexual violence cases; offer students the chance to provide feedback following placements to identity areas of concern; and creating multiple channels to report sexual misconduct so they can do so without fear of reprisal.

BMA deputy chair of council Dr Emma Runswick said: ‘The lack of accountability coupled with the power imbalance for perpetrators, especially when they are senior doctors, can lead to the normalisation of sexist and inappropriate behaviours in the NHS and beyond.

‘Whilst we know that perpetrators are a minority of patients, medical students and senior doctors, their actions can still have a devastating impact. Where the perpetrators are students or doctors, all organisations must act to prevent, encourage reporting, and address that with disciplinary, professional and criminal consequences. 

‘This report exposes the prevalence of sexism and sexual violence faced by many medical students and underlines the need for immediate action to protect the next generation of doctors.’

Last month, MPTS announced a new banding system to make decisions about doctors facing serious allegations, including sexual misconduct, discrimination and violent and abusive behaviours. 

And earlier this year, Dr Louise Clarke wrote for Pulse about how sexism in general practice begins at the training level.