Sexual Safety Charter

Working together to ensure sexual safety

In October 2023 we joined the NHS Sexual Safety Charter.

The Charter, developed by NHS England, sets out a national commitment to ensure NHS workplaces are safe environments for staff and patients and that organisations take proactive steps to prevent sexual harassment and misconduct.

Our Commitment

The 10 principles of the charter which we are committed to following are:

Staff sexual safety pledge

Creating a safe workplace requires collective action. All colleagues-in-training and hosts have a role in promoting respectful behaviours and challenging inappropriate conduct.

Sexual safety is everybody’s business, I pledge:

I will personally role model behaviours that promote a sexual safety culture and working environments for all of my colleagues and patients.

I will not engage in any behaviour that could be considered sexist, misogynistic, sexual harassment or sexual misconduct.

I will promote a culture that fosters openness and transparency, encouraging and supporting the reporting of unwanted, harmful and/or inappropriate sexual behaviours.

I will take personal responsibility for learning about what constitutes unwanted behaviours that are sexist, sexual harassment, and sexual misconduct, completing all relevant training and development.

I recognise that different groups experience sexism, sexual harassment, and sexual misconduct differently, based on their age, culture, lived experiences, job roles and seniority.

I will ensure that I understand the Trusts values and behaviours; policies on sexism, sexual harassment and sexual misconduct; and the methods available to staff to raise a concern or complaint.

I will provide appropriate support to all colleagues who experience sexism, sexual harassment and sexual misconduct; as well as sign posting to relevant support available.

I will report all instances of sexism, sexual harassment, and sexual misconduct that I experience personally, or that I witness.

I will take all reports of sexism, sexual harassment and sexual misconduct seriously and take appropriate and timely action. If accused on inappropriate behaviour I will be honest and transparent, and open to learning from the situation.

SIGN the sexual safety pledge here

Leadership and governance

We regularly review policies, monitor incidents and identify learning to improve our approach. Where required, concerns may be escalated to external organisations including: