he NHS must "urgently investigate" rape and sexual assault in hospitals, the Shadow Health and Social Care secretary said after an investigation uncovered "disturbing" figures. Byline Times unearthed shocking figures claiming 4,100 patients, visitors, and NHS staff who were raped, or sexually assaulted between January 2019 and September 2022.
Labour’s Shadow Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said: “Hospitals ought to be safe places for patients and staff, but these disturbing findings show that is not the case for far too many people. The NHS should urgently investigate why these disgusting crimes are allowed to happen and on such a widespread scale.”
ata collected from 31 police forces across the country revealed the scale of the issue which included at least three incidents against a female child under the age of 13.
Liberal Democrat spokesperson Daisy Cooper said the figures are "horrifying", demanding an "urgent and comprehensive response" from the Government.
“Hospitals should be safe havens for vulnerable patients, visitors and staff and not somewhere where such abhorrent attacks can ever take place," she added.
Navina Evans, chief workforce officer at NHS England said: “The health service must be a safe space for patients, the public and our staff. The NHS does not tolerate any form of sexual misconduct, assault, harassment or abuse in any setting and we are clear that all NHS trusts and organisations must have robust security measures in place to keep everyone who uses their sites safe - ensuring immediate action is taken in any cases reported to them.
“We take all complaints very seriously and I would strongly encourage anyone who has concerns about any form of sexual assault while on an NHS site to come Of he reported allegations, just 5.21 percent resulted in a charge of summons.
The report added: "One police force, which recorded 161 sexual assault and rapes across hospital estates, shared with Byline Times the reasons why charges were never brought following a reported sexual assault. Concerningly, in 26 rapes and 11 sexual assaults, no suspect was able to be identified.
"Although most police forces did not provide data on the sex of perpetrators and victims, women are overwhelmingly likely to be the victims of sexual assault, with men most likely to be suspects. Women made up 87.1% of alleged victims in North Wales, and 88% of reports to West Mercia were made by women. "