Sexual Harassment in Hospitals
Existence of sexual harassment in the hospital setup in its varied forms has been clearly confirmed by exhaustive studies. It is unfortunate that such insidious practices have invaded the serene hospital environment. Sexual harassment, in whatever form it exists, must be rooted out and this demands immediate attention and positive intervention from the human resource professionals.
Sexual harassment has of late become a matter of serious concern for human resource professionals in any corporate environment. The hospice environment in particular has a high incidence of sexual harassment and unprofessional exploitation. Recent researches conducted worldwide have revealed that the healthcare sector is one area where there is an increasing prevalence of sexual harassment and doctors, nurses and the patients have all been vulnerable and victimized. In most cases hospital management lend a deaf ear to this growing menace, which only worsens the scenario. A discussion on the different cases and issues pertaining to sexual assault and misbehavior in the hospital environment bears much importance in highlighting the problem.
Nursing Staff (Sexual Harassment)
The hospital setup with its own unique relationships between the physician, nurse, and the patients creates a fertile ground for potential offenders who do not respect the moral and ethical integrity of the medical profession, to create an inhospitable work environment. Nursing staff are the most affected by sexual harassment by physicians and other co-workers. The professional standing of the nurses as playing a subordinate role to the doctors lends them as natural targets and easy victims for sexual harassment. The proximity with the physicians, which the job demands leaves them more exposed to potential misbehavior from the physicians. Furthermore the prevailing hierarchical nature within the medical sector and the difference in professional status tend to work in favor of the physicians. In view of their career considerations most women in the nursing profession are putting up with this insulting and sexually harassing behavior without much of resistance. [Anita Hoffman]
Some statistical data would help us get a better insight into the prevailing situation in the health care industry. A recent study conducted revealed that around 69% to 85% of nurses have reported to have been subjected to some kind of sexual harassment in their workplace. Another independent study conducted on 188 intensive care nurses revealed that more than 46% of them had undergone sexual harassment in one form or the other and that in almost 82% of the cases the offenders were the physicians. Studies have also revealed that harassment of nurses in the perioperative setup is more than the other areas of the healthcare industry. [Anita Hoffman] The Alberta university study, which analyzed the workplace violence in the hospitals, also confirmed the fact that nurses are the most vulnerable group in the hospital environment for abuse and sexual assault from patients and physicians. The study, which involved 9000 nurses from Alberta and British Columbia, indicated that one out of five nurses admitted to being sexually assaulted at least once during the last five shifts. [Phoebe Dey]
Sexual Harassment (Doctor / Patient)
Another form of sexual harassment that is common is between the doctor and the patient. Research has proved that instances of both the doctors exploiting the patients as well the patients stalking and sexually harassing the doctors (particularly female) are equally common. A research conducted way back in 1992 confirmed that female physicians are prone to sexual harassment by their patients. For the study 422 female physicians in Ontario were surveyed and 75% of them admitted to sexual harassment of one kind or the other by their male patients. These female physicians also reported a high incidence of sexual harassment during their medical training period by their superiors. These instances of sexual misbehavior by their superiors are often unreported because the career prospects of the students hinged on the evaluation of the superiors. [Susan P. Phillips]
One area where there is increasing occurrence of sexual harassment by physicians is the psychiatric clinics. Due to the control that the doctors have over the patient's mind there is high rate of sexual harassment in the psychiatric setup. As an example of this clinical misbehavior is the case of Dr. John Hamilton, former deputy director of the American psychological Association (APA), who was stripped off his license (in 1992) for engaging in forceful sexual misconduct with his patient. During the last ten years 113 psychiatrists have been either suspended or dismissed by the APA. [Church of Scientology] Similarly there are other reported instances wherein...
At all times, a compliant organization will provide the following to all/each staff/employee: A non-hostile work environment An anonymous and secure system for staff to report sexual harassment/ethical concerns Quick and responsive, unbiased, comprehensive & objective investigation into all claims A safe and courteous atmosphere for our patient population and for our staff An environment void of preferential treatment or discrimination based on gender An environment void of preferential treatment Interim & annual training sessions conducted
Given the context and the fact that being a convicted criminal and a sex offender could conceivably make the risk of any type of abuse (whether or not of a sexual nature) foreseeable, that defense is unlikely to succeed. However, generally, the knowledge of one Board member who does not disclose that knowledge to the Board will not be imputed to the rest of the Board. In any case,
Bibliography Childers-Hermann, J. (1993, February) Awareness of sexual harassment: First step toward prevention. Critical Care Nurse 13, p. 101-103. Childers-Hermann discusses that many healthcare employees do not know what constitutes sexual harassment, thus impeding the ability to prevent this problem. Cook, et al. (1996). Residents' experiences of abuse, discrimination and sexual harassment during residency training," Canadian Medical Association Journal,154:1657-1665). Research assesses the prevalence of psychological abuse, physical assault, and discrimination on the basis of
sexual harassment in the workplace. The writer discusses how it happens, and what can be done to stop or prevent it. The writer used four sources to complete this paper. During the last several decades' women have entered the workforce by the millions. The entrance of females to what used to be male dominated setting has brought fresh ideas, new perspectives and other positive attributes to every field. In addition
Sexual Assault Treatment Center Describe the social problem for the community Sexual assault is a criminal sexual act, either physical or otherwise, committed by a perpetrator against a victim (usually a child) using physical, intimidation/force, or emotional manipulation. Sexual assault subjects the victim to the perpetrator's demands through use of coercion, force, manipulation or explicit/implicit threats. Sexual assault is considered criminal because the act is committed against a victim without seeking his
Accordingly, the Garrison Commander would like to honor the SARC and VA of the Fort Belvoir community for their outstanding service and their compassion in helping those who are affected by sexual assault and sexual victimization. Their work is essential for victims and their loved ones to recover from their experiences and overcome them. Please join Commander ____ and the rest of the Fort Belvoir community in acknowledging and
Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.
Get Started Now