Almost one in three female surgeons have been sexually assaulted

Representing a ‘#MeToo moment’ for the NHS, a recent survey has uncovered a pattern of female trainees being abused by senior male surgeons during the past five years in operating theatres across the UK.

Almost a third of female surgeons in the UK have been sexually assaulted by a colleague during the past five years, a recent survey — which is the largest of its kind — has revealed.

Published in the British Journal of Surgery (BJS), the findings have brought to light the extent of this misconduct across the nation and represent what is now being referred to as a ‘#MeToo moment’ for the NHS.

As it discloses, 30 per cent of women who responded said they had been sexually assaulted (with reports detailing women being fondled inside their scrubs, of male surgeons wiping their brow on their breasts, as well as men rubbing erections against female staff), 29 per cent had experienced unwanted physical advances at work, more than 40 per cent had received unsolicited comments about their body, and 38 per cent had been involved in sexual ‘banter.’

In addition, eleven instances of rape have been reported and nearly 90 per cent of…