Sexual safety in healthcare – organisational charter

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On 4 September 2023, NHS England launched its first ever sexual safety charter in collaboration with key partners across the healthcare system.  Signatories to this charter commit to taking and enforcing a zero-tolerance approach to any unwanted, inappropriate and/or harmful sexual behaviours within the workplace, and to ten core principles and actions to help achieve this. It is expected that signatories will implement all ten commitments by July 2024. NHS leaders can sign the charter on behalf of their organisation by emailing england.domesticabusesexualviolence@nhs.net

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Summary

Our new policy:

  • outlines our approach to tackling sexual misconduct and dealing with perpetrators
  • describes what sexual misconduct is and how to report it
  • adopts and signposts to processes in other NHS England employment policies such as respect at work (including bullying and harassment), social media, grievance, disciplinary and managing concerns
  • provides a summary of support available to employees

Published 16 October 2024.

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Summary

We have launched this new policy and supporting assurance framework for integrated care boards and trusts to adopt and adapt, ensuring that any member of staff who has experienced inappropriate and/or harmful sexual behaviours at work is supported by their employer.

An overview of the policy is also available.

Alongside the policy is a new e-learning resource, designed to equip people working and learning in the NHS with the knowledge and skills to recognise and respond to sexual misconduct.

Published 16 October 2024.

Summary

Letter from Steve Russell, Chief Delivery Officer and Senior Responsible Officer for Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence, NHS England; Navina Evans, Chief Workforce, Training and Education Officer, NHS England; and Catherine Hinwood, Director for Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence, NHS England.

Published 16 October 2024.

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Summary

This framework sets out the outcomes from each principle in the charter and lists actions that would assure their delivery.

Using this framework will support boards to assure themselves against delivery of all the principles in the sexual safety charter and ensure that any member of staff who has experienced inappropriate and/or harmful sexual behaviours at work is supported.

Published 16 October 2024.

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Summary

Letter from Steve Russell, Chief Delivery Officer and Senior Responsible Officer for Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence, NHS England.

Accessible content. Published 12 April 2024.

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Summary

Letter from Steve Russell, Chief Delivery Officer NHS England.

Published 4 September 2023.

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Summary

Letter from Steve Russell, Chief Delivery Officer NHS England.

Published 23 June 2023.