Sexual safety covers a range of inappropriate sexual behaviour with different legal and operational definitions and processes. It includes language of a sexualised nature, sexual harassment, sexual assault, and rape. Some behaviour will be unlawful, some will not. Consequently, there are different, sometimes overlapping, legal and operational processes in play, including safeguarding, employment or police.

We must take a systematic zero-tolerance approach to sexual misconduct and violence, keeping our patients and staff safe. It is crucial that when our staff come to work, they feel safe and supported.

We all have a responsibility to ourselves and our colleagues and must act.