About the Understanding sexual misconduct in the workplace programme
**Please note that some of the content referenced on this page contains information that is distressing and may be triggering to some.**
Those who work, train and learn within the healthcare system have the right to be safe and feel supported at work. Organisations across the healthcare system need to work together and individually to tackle unwanted, inappropriate and/or harmful sexual behaviour in the workplace.
This elearning resource provides people working and learning in the NHS with the knowledge and skills to recognise and respond to sexual misconduct. If someone tells you they have experienced sexual harassment or assault it can be hard to know what to say or do. Completing this training will support learners to have sensitive conversations with colleagues about sexual misconduct.
The programme supports the sexual safety in healthcare charter for organisations. This charter commits signatories to taking and enforcing a zero-tolerance approach to any unwanted, inappropriate and/or harmful sexual behaviours within the workplace. Its ten principles include a commitment to ensure that appropriate training on sexual misconduct is in place.
The elearning includes:
- Identify and recognise the types of sexual misconduct in the workplace.
- Understand the impacts that trauma can have and how this can affect people who have experienced sexual misconduct.
- Understand how to have a trauma-informed conversation and know how to support someone if they tell you that they have experienced sexual misconduct.
- Maintain confidentiality, respect professional boundaries, and look after your own wellbeing when someone tells you about sexual misconduct they have experienced.
More information
For the first time, both the 2023 NHS Staff Survey and The National Education and Training Survey asked colleagues about their experiences of sexual misconduct and unwanted behaviour when working and learning in the NHS. 58,000 staff reported unwarranted sexual approaches from patients or other members of the public – that’s 1 in every 12 NHS workers. 1 in 26 reported experiencing similar harassment from work colleagues.
It is our collective responsibility to ensure that the NHS is a safe space for staff and patients, and a place in which sexual misconduct, violence, harassment, or abuse will not be tolerated.
For information relating to sexual misconduct in your workplace, including further training and details of local support, please refer to your own organisation’s policies, resources and training.
Acknowledgements
- Dr Chelcie Jewitt, Co-founder Surviving in Scrubs, ICM and EM dual trainee
- Dr Becky Cox, Co-founder Surviving in Scrubs, GP
- Deeba Syed, Senior Legal Officer (Employment Law) Rights of Women
Meet the team
Catherine Hinwood OBE
National Programme Director, National Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Programme, NHS England
Lucy McAuley-Wilson RNLD
Senior Programme Lead, National Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Programme, NHS England
Thomas Clarke
Transformation Lead, HR and Organisational Development, NHS England
Andi Blackmore
TEL Education Content Programme Manager, NHS England
Dave Beardmore
TEL Education Content Senior Project Manager, NHS England
Tracy Watkins
TEL Education Content Lead Learning Designer, NHS England
Karen Walker
TEL Education Content Lead Learning Designer, NHS England
Abigail Lingford
TEL Education Content Graphic Designer, NHS England
How to access
To access this elfh programme, you will require a Learning Hub account. If you do not have one, then you can register by selecting the Register button below. Note that if you hold a full elfh account, you can sign into the Learning Hub using your existing login credentials.
To view the Understanding sexual misconduct in the workplace programme, select the View button below. If you already have a Learning Hub account, you will also be able to login and access the resources within the programme .
NHS healthcare staff in England – ESR
The Understanding sexual misconduct in the workplace programme is also available to NHS healthcare staff via the Electronic Staff Record (ESR). Accessing this e-learning via ESR means that your completions will transfer with you throughout your NHS career.
Further details about the Electronic Staff Record (ESR).
Not an NHS organisation?
If you are not an NHS health or care organisation and therefore do not qualify for free access to the Learning Hub, you may be able to access the service if you have an existing OpenAthens account. Please go to Learning Hub and sign in with your existing credentials.
If you do not have an existing OpenAthens account, please contact elfh directly to check whether you may be eligible for access.
Registering large numbers of users
If you are a HR, IT or Practice Manager and would like to register and enrol large numbers of staff within your organisation for access onto the Understanding sexual misconduct in the workplace programme, please contact elfh directly.
Organisations wishing to use their own LMS
For HR departments wanting to know more about gaining access to courses using an existing Learning Management System please contact elfh directly to express interest.
More information
Please select the following link for more information on how to use the Learning Hub