In 2019, we’ve come a long way in the fight for equal rights. Modern day civil rights movements like #MeToo and #TimesUp has given many sexual assault survivors the courage to come forward and tell their stories.
What will come to surprise only a few in healthcare, sexual misconduct has long been an issue in the industry for both patients and practitioners. Recent reports have shown how deep-rooted the issue really is, as many argue that the current measures in place to reprimand perpetuators consistently fall short.
The Facts behind misconduct in medicine
A recent study showed 7,205 reports of sexual misconduct were reported against healthcare providers between 2000-2017. These are cases that included “inappropriate touching and groping, flirting and other inappropriate verbal conduct, unwanted sexual advances, sexual assault” and rape.
While California was shown to be the worst of offenders, this problem has impacted patients and providers across the country. The state of Michigan’s licensing board recently punished 30 healthcare professionals for sexual misconduct in 2018.
The Problem
A recent Baltimore study found about that only about 24% of practitioners with sexual misconduct claims have their licenses revoked or suspended. People trust doctors and healthcare professionals to aid them in their most vulnerable times. So why is it that physicians guilty of sexual abuse allowed to continue their practice?
Several researchers have even spoken out against governing medical institutions, saying they could be doing much more to combat the issue. Azza Abudagga, a health services researcher working with the nonprofit organization Public Citizen, published a detailed report on sexual misconduct and stated there’s been a ‘failure of the medical community’ to take a stand against the issue.
While harsher punishments has been shown to lead to less of a given crime, repercussions for misconduct in healthcare has rather remained lenient over the years.
Getting Worse or Reported?
Sexual misconduct reports among healthcare professionals saw a significant spike in 2010. This could be because more victims are coming forward to report their assaults than in previous years. A 2013 study found that more women reported assaults to authorities in 2013 than in 2004. However, this increase was to 34.9% which is still lower than half the amount of rapes that occur. While this is a step in the right direction, the majority of assault and rape cases still go unreported.
what you can do about it?
On an issue that involves so much bureaucracy, it’s easy to feel like there isn’t much you can do to help. However, that’s not the case. Below are just a few ways you can make a difference:
Report your assault
Well for one, report it. Thought more and more people have had the courage to report their assault, there are still so many cases still don’t. Especially when it comes to a practicing healthcare professional, it’s important to hold them accountable for their violations as soon as possible.
elect the right representative
Another way is to elect officials that believe in harder laws against sexual assault and misconduct violations. Make sure to learn about your elected officials and vote for those who represent your stance on sexual misconduct. Information on each representative’s information and stance is available online. You can visit online resources with each senator’s contact information and how to reach them here.
sPEAK WITH AN ATTORNEY
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual assault by a medical professional, you have more legal avenues to seek justice than filing a complaint with the licensing board. An act of sexual misconduct is also a breach of duty, which can possibly allow you to file a personal injury lawsuit. The pubic saw this in the case against Larry Nassar, the Olympic team physician who molested over 100 athletes while providing care. An attorney can guide you towards your best legal options.