Guidance for People Receiving Reports of Sexual Misconduct

A service for anyone who has been affected by rape, child sexual abuse, sexual assault, sexual harassment or any other form of sexual violence – at any point in their life. 

Website: Rape Crisis England and Wales

Helpline: 0808 500 2222 

Helpline for anyone over 13 who has experienced sexual violence, no matter when or how it happened. Sexual harassment, whether at work or elsewhere, is a form of sexual violence. 

Website: Rape Crisis Scotland

Helpline: 08088 010302

Particularly useful booklet on sexual harassment in the workplace [3]

A support service for anyone who is 18 and over and has experienced serious sexual assault and rape in adulthood.

Website: Rape Crisis Northern Ireland

Helpline: 0800 0246 991

Free and confidential 24/7 counselling line and peer support service open to all doctors and medical students.

Website: British Medical Association

Helpline: 0330 123 1245  

Offer medical, practical and emotional support to anyone who has been raped, sexually assaulted or abused within the last 12 month.

Website: Sexual Assault Referral Centres

You don’t have to feel suicidal to get in touch. Only 1 person in 5 who calls Samaritans says that they feel suicidal.

Website: The Samaritans

Helpline: 116 123 

Your TPD or Head of School will offer confidential, non-judgmental practical support and signpost you to service that will help to support you such as Professional Support and Wellbeing Services.

Record any concerns shared with you. Record you actions including signposting to support and any advice you have given.

The person may gain benefit from having been able to tell you and having been listened to. They may not wish to take things any further. Their confidentiality should be respected. You may however have a professional responsibility to report.

You have a responsibility to report if you think that the target or anyone else is at risk of serious harm or if you think that a colleague may not be fit to practice.

1. Reporting within the workplace: The targeted person may wish to make a statement to share with one or more people with responsibility for the accused (e.g.: line manager, HR, medical director etc). Where the above criteria are met, the responsible person should take forward concerns and report the accused as disclosed to them.
2. Reporting to the GMC: Advice is available for both the impacted person and the person to whom they have disclosed the event or events via the GMC confidential helpline (0161 923 6399).
3. Reporting to the police: Sexual harassment and assault are criminal matters.

Receiving a report of sexual misconduct can be stressful. Ensure that you are also appropriately supported.