Mims Davies MP speaks in Parliament on Sexual Assault and Abuse in Hospitals
Mims Davies MP said:
Today marks an important debate on International Women’s Day in Westminster, where many of us will celebrate the immense contributions and achievements of outstanding women throughout the ages.
There is, however, one serious ongoing issue women suffer up and down the country that the government is conveniently choosing to ignore - despite warm words, strategies and so-called “plans”.
Sexual violence and assaults continue to plague some NHS wards and care homes.
Reports of rape and other abhorrent forms of sexual abuse are being reported in the very place where we should all feel safe and cared for. Staff and medical students face sexual harassment while training at university, meaning women are truly at the frontline of this in our NHS.https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/thousands-rapes-sexual-assaults-reported-35057589
Uncovered through submitted FOIs just three years ago, the Guardian and the British Medical Journal uncovered more than 30,000 “sexual safety incidents” being recorded by NHS hospitals across England.
The FOIs also uncovered, that while all NHS trusts have policies that govern behaviour at work, fewer than 10% of respondents had standalone sexual safety policies, which contain specific measures to protect people and set out what processes to follow when cases are reported.
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/may/23/england-hospitals-under-reporting-sexual-misconduct-say-expertsMeanwhile, an absolutely sickening case saw a woman attacked and raped in a hospital carpark. This was a heinous crime which took place within the proximity of a hospital. Appalling and heart-breaking.
https://www.itv.com/news/granada/2022-09-23/investigation-after-woman-raped-in-hospital-multi-storey-car-parkLess than a year ago, a nurse alleged inappropriate behaviour towards her on multiple occasions, including being sexually assaulted…
However, the Trust later decided the case did not meet its threshold to be referred to the Nursing and Midwifery Council, allowing the abuser to continue working - and only handed him a written warning. This is simply not good enough.
https://www.leighday.co.uk/news/press-releases/2025-news/nurse-sexually-assaulted-by-colleague-receives-substantial-settlement-after-trust-refused-to-refer-case-to-regulator/Furthermore, research has even unearthed evidence of a staggering 274 allegations of staff sexually assaulting older patients in just three years…
https://wearehourglass.org/rising-sexual-violence-against-older-patients-nhs-hospitals-hourglassThankfully, some of these depraved and sick culprits who have perpetrated these appalling crimes have been locked up in prison.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx25e08xvxjoBut there are still investigations being launched elsewhere into serious allegations of sexual assault. Here is one that is taking place into an individual who had worked at the Royal Stoke University Hospital and Russells Hall Hospital.
https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/criminal-investigation-into-sexual-assault-in-the-midlands/This is the reality in 2026. Sexual violence and criminality continue to be perpetrated in our hospital wards and care homes, in the NHS across our nations and regions and most devastating where the most vulnerable are targeted as they are there for treatment and to heal.
Earlier this year I raised the shocking and distressing case of 75-year-old Valerie Kneale, who died four days after a stroke due to manslaughter, a coroner ruled. But her death prompted a murder investigation, as the post-mortem showed that a forcible sexual assault directly caused her death. Surviving in Scrubs campaigns to tackle sexual harassment and, crucially, sexual assault across the healthcare system. https://youtu.be/Iip80SbNeY4
It shouldn’t come as any surprise that more than 25,000 people recently signed a petition to raise awareness of the crimes being perpetrated, which also called for an inquiry to be launched. So far, their calls have gone disturbingly unheeded by this Labour government.
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/736504Whilst the vast majority of hospitals, care homes and healthcare settings are very safe, it is essential Labour ministers step up and act today.
We need that action to happen today, not later, to ensure sexual violence is eradicated once and for all.
After all, women and girls will only be truly safe if we rid society of these appalling crimes.
I will not be silenced on this and am determined to ensure no woman or girl is left unheard.
