2024-12-11 14:30:00
According to a survey by the Order of Nurses published on Wednesday 11 December, half of nurses say they have been the victim of sexist and sexual violence (SGBV) in the context of their professional activity, against a patient, a carer, a visitor or a superior . .
Questioned in the aftermath of the #MeTooHospital, a wave of testimonies that occurred in the spring in the healthcare sector, 21,000 nurses – of which 12% were men -, public, private or liberal employees, who constitute a cohort “fairly representative” of the profession, responded from September 13 to 29, said the president of the order, Sylvaine Mazière-Tauran, during a press conference.
Among these, 49% of respondents, or 53% of women and 24% of men, said they had already been victims of at least one type of SGBV, and some reported several. Therefore, 39% of respondents suffered “inappropriate thoughts”21% of “sexist outrages” (outrageous proposals, homophobic comments, teasing, etc.), 4% of sexual violence and 0.13% of rapes. Four out of ten say they have suffered acts of violence “repeatedly” and 6% “regularly”.
The vast majority of victims accuse another healthcare worker (47% of those interviewed,several possible answers) or a patient (60%),but it can be a visitor (26%),another nurse (15%) or an administrator (3 % ) or line manager (14%).
The facts frequently enough had an impact on health and intimate life. They have aroused a sense of insecurity at work (37% of those interviewed), changed the relationship with work, especially in terms of motivation or absenteeism (14%) or even caused a change in activity (12%).
Only 2%
filed a complaint
After SGBV, 38% of victims report “not having taken any action” mainly from “fear of repercussions” about their career or “not to be heard”. Only 2% filed a complaint. Most victims feel that they do not know enough about their rights and the steps to take.
After a “#MeToo health focuses more on the hospital”the examination proves it “Liberal professionals are victims too” and must be taken into account, Ms. Mazière-Tauran stressed.
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the nurses’ association offers various measures, including training for all nursing and administrative professional figures, starting from the course of studies.It intends to carry out an details campaign among nurses on their rights. From 2023, victims can report the facts online on their own “orderly professional space”, so let us accompany you “VSS contacts”.
The ordinance would also improve coordination with the police and justice services, put in place “simplified declaration systems close to the field”change the code of ethics to allow a nurse to do so “withdraw” monitor a patient in case of danger or even strengthen administrative sanctions, including “preventive”against the authors.
“We must put an end to this type of culture” rifle, sexualized, “which persists on the image of the nurse”concluded the president, deploring a “lack of respect for the profession” under the cover of humor that “he doesn’t make anyone laugh”.
#nurses #report #victims #sexist #sexual #violence #context #practice
How can healthcare institutions improve their response to incidents of sexual and gender-based violence?
Interview between Alex Johnson, Editor of Time.news, and Dr. Emily Carter, Sociologist and Expert on Workplace Violence in Healthcare
Alex Johnson: Welcome, Dr. Carter. Thank you for joining us today to discuss these alarming findings from the recent survey by the Order of Nurses regarding sexual and gender-based violence in healthcare. It’s a complex topic that affects not just the individuals involved but also the broader healthcare surroundings.
Dr.Emily Carter: Thank you for having me, Alex. It’s a critical issue that needs to be addressed.
Alex Johnson: The survey revealed that half of the nurses reported experiencing some form of sexist or sexual violence during their professional duties. That’s an remarkable figure. What do you think are the primary factors contributing to this high prevalence?
Dr. Emily Carter: several factors are at play. The healthcare environment can often foster a culture of power dynamics, where those in caregiving roles may feel vulnerable to aggression from patients, other healthcare workers, or even superiors.Additionally, the stigma around reporting such incidents, combined with a lack of support systems, can perpetuate this cycle of violence.
Alex Johnson: The survey mentioned that victims frequently enough identified their aggressors as other healthcare workers or patients. How do you see the dynamics of these relationships influencing the situation?
Dr. Emily Carter: It’s incredibly complex. When the aggressor is a coworker, it can create a opposed work environment characterized by fear and mistrust. This not only affects individual nurses but can also undermine teamwork and patient care quality. Conversely, when violence stems from patients, it raises questions about how support staff are trained to manage high-stress situations while maintaining professional boundaries.
Alex Johnson: The report mentions impacts on health and intimate life for the victims, as well as feelings of insecurity at work. From a psychological standpoint, what are the potential long-term repercussions for nurses facing this kind of violence?
Dr. Emily Carter: The long-term effects can be severe. Victims might experience increased anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress. The workplace becomes a source of fear rather than safety,leading to burnout and high turnover rates. moreover, it can erode the passion for caregiving that manny healthcare workers initially have, wich can have a ripple effect on the quality of care that patients receive.
Alex Johnson: In light of the #metoohospital movement and the responses it has sparked, what steps do you think institutions should take to combat this issue effectively?
Dr.Emily Carter: Institutions need to create a safe reporting environment.This means establishing clear policies against all forms of violence, providing training for all staff on recognizing and addressing SGBV, and fostering an organizational culture where these issues can be openly discussed without fear of retaliation. Support systems,like counseling and mental health resources for victims,are also essential.
Alex Johnson: It sounds like there’s a lot of work to be done, but awareness is the first step. Reflecting on your research and experience, why is it particularly vital to address issues of gender-based violence in healthcare specifically?
Dr.Emily Carter: healthcare workers are tasked with supporting the health and well-being of others, and yet they shouldn’t have to endure violence themselves. Addressing gender-based violence is about protecting the protectors. When we ensure a safe work environment for healthcare personnel, we ultimately enhance the quality of care they can provide, benefiting both the employees and the patients they serve.
Alex Johnson: Thank you, Dr. Carter,for shedding light on this pressing issue. We hope that this conversation prompts more action to create a safer work environment for nurses everywhere.
Dr. Emily Carter: Thank you, Alex. I truly believe that awareness and dialog are the first steps toward meaningful change.