Webinar series on tackling sexual misconduct in healthcare

We launched a series of webinars focused on tackling sexual misconduct by health and care professionals in autumn 2024.

The webinars featured expert-led presentations and discussions on different aspects of the issue, bringing together stakeholders from across the sector, including regulators, Accredited Registers, and patient and registrant representative organisations.

The webinars included hearing from those in the sector working to address sexual misconduct, reviewing the latest research evidence, and learning from examples of how other sectors and countries are tackling the problem to identify what more can be done.

Webinars were held throughout the year, but the series has now concluded.

The series launched in September 2024 with a presentation on NHS England’s Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence programme, including their charter on sexual safety at work.  A further webinar was held on 24 September exploring the culture challenges within the ambulance sector and the work that is being done to improve sexual safety. We added 2025 dates to the series and these have included presentations from the General Medical Council on tackling sexual misconduct and a webinar looking at sexual misconduct between colleagues, as well as from a survivor talking about what it feels like to be on the receiving end of sexual misconduct by a healthcare professional and its aftermath.

Through this discussion series, we are hoping to facilitate learning and robust discussion amongst stakeholders so that, collectively, we can better understand the issue, develop effective solutions, and take meaningful steps forward.

What happens next?

We are planning to produce a report including recommendations for the future contribution of regulators in this area.