Sexual Safety Patient Information Leaflet

What Is Sexual Safety?

Sexual safety means being able to receive care in an environment where you feel safe, respected and free from any form of unwanted sexual behaviour. This includes behaviour from another patient, a member of staff, a volunteer, student or visitor.

Unwanted sexual behaviour can take many forms, including sexual comments or jokes, unwanted touching, being watched or photographed without your consent, inappropriate messages, or any behaviour that leaves you feeling uncomfortable, embarrassed, distressed or unsafe.

Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect while receiving care.

Our Commitment To You

At UHN, we are committed to creating a safe, compassionate and respectful environment for everyone who uses our services.

We will:

• Treat you with dignity, kindness and respect at all times.
• Respect your privacy, personal boundaries and choices.
• Ensure you understand what care or treatment is being provided and why.
• Support your right to request a chaperone during examinations, procedures or discussions where one would help you feel more comfortable.
• Listen carefully to any concerns you raise and take them seriously.
• Respond appropriately and sensitively to concerns, regardless of who is involved.

Take action to help keep you safe and support your wellbeing.

Examples Of Behaviour That Is Never Acceptable

The following behaviours are never acceptable and should be reported if they occur:

• Sexual comments, jokes or questions that are unrelated to your care or wellbeing.
• Touching that is not clinically necessary, or where an explanation has not been provided.
• Being watched, followed, photographed or recorded without your knowledge or consent.
• Unwanted sexual attention, advances or contact.
• Being pressured to share personal information or contact details.
• Behaviour that makes you feel intimidated, embarrassed, uncomfortable or unsafe.
• Sexual harassment, sexual assault or any other form of sexual misconduct.

How To Raise A Concern

You do not need to be certain that something inappropriate has occurred before seeking advice or support. If you feel uncomfortable, worried or unsafe, we encourage you to speak up.

You can:

• Talk to any member of staff you trust.
• Ask to speak with the nurse in charge or ward manager.
• Contact the Patient Experience Team, who can support you to raise a concern and explain the options available to you.
• Ask a family member, friend, carer or advocate to speak on your behalf if you would find that easier.

If you would prefer not to raise a concern in person, you can contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS). A member of staff can provide contact details, or these can be found on ward and department information boards.

What Happens Next

If you raise a concern, our priority will be your immediate safety and wellbeing.

We will:

• Listen carefully and respond with sensitivity and respect.
• Take steps to help keep you safe, which may include changes to your environment or care arrangements where appropriate.
• Explain what will happen next and who may need to be involved.
• Keep you informed and updated wherever possible.
• Offer support and signpost you to relevant services.

Some concerns may require different processes or agencies to be involved, including safeguarding services, hospital procedures or, where appropriate, the police. We will explain these options clearly and support you throughout the process. Information is handled sensitively and shared only where appropriate, but absolute confidentiality cannot be promised where safeguarding, immediate safety or other necessary escalation applies.

Looking After Yourself

Experiencing or witnessing unwanted sexual behaviour can be upsetting and may affect people in different ways. There is no right or wrong response.

You do not have to manage this alone.

If you have been affected by sexual misconduct or inappropriate behaviour, support is available. Please speak to a member of staff who can help you access appropriate services, including emotional, psychological, spiritual and practical support. You may also wish to access the UHN Sexual Safety Support Directory, which provides information on confidential internal and external support services.

Accessible Information

If you need this information in another format or language, please telephone 01604 523121 or e-mail kgh-tr.pils@nhs.net.