Examples of sexual misconduct towards patients

  1. Summary
  2. Advice and support
  3. What is sexual misconduct?
  4. Sexual boundaries between a patient and a doctor, PA or AA
  1. Examples of sexual misconduct towards patients
  2. What you should expect during a physical examination
  3. How to raise a concern about sexual misconduct
  4. Other information you may find useful

Sexual misconduct can take many forms, including but not limited to a doctor, physician associate or anaesthesia associate:

  • behaving in a way that can be reasonably understood as sexual such as:      
    • making flirtatious, overfamiliar or sexual remarks or acting in a way intended to arouse or gratify sexual desire
    • touching you or themselves in a sexual way
    • engaging in sexual behaviour in front of you
  • inappropriately touching under the guise of an intimate examination which is not clinically necessary, or without your consent, or being disrespectful of your privacy
  • asking you for personal information, including your sexual history or preferences, when not clinically relevant 
  • making inappropriate, sexual or offensive comments about your:
    • sexuality, sexual orientation, sexual partners, virginity or other sexual elements of your life 
    • body, appearance, pubic hair or genitals
  • sending sexually explicit emails, text messages or posts via social media 
  • propositioning you or making sexual advances
  • engaging in a sexual relationship with you, even if you agree to the sexual relationship
  • blaming you for being sexually abused or raped
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Related content

Identifying and tackling sexual misconduct Consensual relationships can and do exist within workplaces. However, there is no place for sexual harassment or any form of sexual misconduct in healthcare.
Allegations of sexual misconduct: support for employers and Responsible Officers Employers have legal responsibilities, set out in legislation and common law, to protect their employees and others from sexual misconduct in the workplace
Supporting you with your concern Find the information you need to take your concern forward.
Local help services There are a number of organisations responsible for the health, safety and wellbeing of patients across the UK.