NHS England mental health trusts record 26,000 sexual abuse incidents

NHS England mental health trusts record 26,000 sexual abuse incidents The data over five years puts spotlight on underfunded hospitals where abuse can often easily be hidden, say experts.

A joint investigation by the Guardian and the British Medical Journal has found that thousands of vulnerable mental health patients have reported claims of being sexually abused in NHS hospitals.

Data released following freedom of information requests to NHS trusts in England showed that 35,606 “sexual safety incidents” were recorded in hospitals between 2017 and 2022.

See also:

• NHS reviews abuse of staff and patients, as legal bill exceeds £82m in five years The BMJ
• NHS trusts missing sexual assault policies Personnel Today