Why sexual safety needs to be embedded as a core value in mental healthcare
An alarming report has again raised concerns about sexual safety on mental health wards and NHS trusts need to do more to protect people who are most vulnerable
An investigation into ‘sexual safety incidents’ reported to NHS trusts has led to calls for stricter policies and standards – especially on mental health wards
Ill health makes us vulnerable, and mental ill health that requires inpatient care, sometimes for weeks or months, even more so.
Most mental health professionals strive to develop a therapeutic relationship with the people they care for that is underpinned by compassion, trust and safety.
Sexual safety incidents on mental health wards ‘commonplace’
Yet a joint investigation by The BMJ and the Guardian, published in May, found that of more than 35,000 ‘sexual safety incidents’ reported to NHS trusts in England between 2017 and 2022, three quarters – 26,434 – were made in mental health providers. These incidents ranged from abusive comments to rape, allegedly perpetrated by staff, patients or visitors.
Concerns about sexual safety on mental health wards are not new. In 2018, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) identified that sexual safety incidents were ‘commonplace’ and that many staff did not know how to respond appropriately.
The CQC’s report led to NHS England commissioning sexual safety standards.
Just 16 of the 47 mental health trusts that responded to The BMJ/Guardian investigation had sexual safety policies, despite these being a requirement of the standards.
Sexual safety must be embedded as a core value by all trusts
Meaningful policies, guidance and standards are welcome but they rely on an organisation’s leaders and staff to ensure they are implemented and used consistently, and their impact evaluated.
If safety is the keystone of healthcare then sexual safety must be embedded as a core value by all trusts. This is not a finite process that can be measured after one, two or five years and completed, but a culture change that requires staff, patients and visitors to respect the fundamental human rights of all in the places where they work, are cared for and visit.
Sexual safety is a right for all and the responsibility of us all.
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