BEHIND HOSPITAL DOORS

With 33 sexual offences taking place in medical settings every week, we investigate…

- JENNY ACKLAND

Hospitals should be places of care and comfort. But more and more frequently, we’re hearing about horrific sexual assaults on staff, visitors and patients taking place, with a report in April laying bare the shocking scale of the problem.

The Women’s Rights Network (WRN) found that over 6,000 sexual attacks were reported over the last three years, including assaults on children, some who were under 13 years of age. ‘These statistics are jaw-dropping,’ says WRN founder Heather Binning. ‘We are horrified at what we have uncovered.’

The offences took place in both private and public hospitals in England and Wales, with only 4.1% of those reported resulting in the alleged offender being charged. One of the most shocking cases is that of pensioner Valerie Kneale, 75.

Valerie was sexually assaulted in Blackpool Victoria Hospital, where she’d been taken after having a stroke. The attack, in November 2018, was so violent that Valerie died from her injuries. However, the attacker still hasn’t been found.

But it’s not just patients falling victim. According to reports, three in five nurses have been sexually harassed while at work.