Sexual harassment, sexual assault and rape have been referred to as surgery’s open secret.

There is an untold story of women being fondled inside their scrubs, of male surgeons wiping their brow on their breasts and men rubbing erections against female staff. Some have been offered career opportunities for sex.

The analysis - by the University of Exeter, the University of Surrey and the Working Party on Sexual Misconduct in Surgery - has been shared exclusively with BBC News.

Nearly two-thirds of women surgeons that responded to the researchers said they had been the target of sexual harassment and a third had been sexually assaulted by colleagues in the past five years.

Women say they fear reporting incidents will damage their careers and they lack confidence the NHS will take action.

  • solstice@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    men rubbing erections against female staff

    Imagine getting aroused while working, doing surgery, surrounded by other people. I would think any one of those three would preclude the possibility.

    • Eezyville@sh.itjust.works
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      1 year ago

      I would guess it is how they respond to a highly stressful environment. But that would only excuse the arousal, not the sexual assault.

    • Azzu@lemm.ee
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      1 year ago

      Meh, I’ve gotten erections in the weirdest circumstances, it’s not necessarily happening because of the situation, but in spite of it. Still would’ve never thought to rub it on someone, lol

      • lightnsfw@reddthat.com
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        1 year ago

        Sometimes it seems like my dick just has it’s own section of my brain that’s just unaffected by everything else that may be happening…

        That doesn’t mean I act on it or SA people though.