Sexual safety in healthcare – organisational charter

On 4 September 2023, NHS England launched its first ever sexual safety charter in collaboration with key partners across the healthcare system. While individual employers need to have measures in place for staff to report their experiences and ensure that support is available, NHSE are also taking action with partners nationally to ensure the NHS is a safe environment for all patients and staff, including through the first ever sexual safety charter and providing more support and clear reporting mechanisms.

Signatories to this charter commit to taking and enforcing a zero-tolerance approach to any unwanted, inappropriate and/or harmful sexual behaviours within the workplace, and to ten core principles and actions to help achieve this. It is expected that signatories will implement all ten commitments by July 2024. NHS leaders can sign the charter on behalf of their organisation by emailing england.domesticabusesexualviolence@nhs.net