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<p>National Health Service organisations are responsible for protecting their patients
and staff from sexual misconduct and harassment and are required to have a policy
that deals with sexual misconduct.</p><p>In July 2022 NHS England established a Domestic
Abuse and Sexual Violence Programme to build on safeguarding processes for protecting
patients, improve victim support, and focus on early intervention and prevention.
The programme has been expanded to address sexual safety in healthcare.</p><p>NHS
England expects every NHS trust and local health system in England to have a domestic
abuse and sexual violence lead to support patients and staff to report incidents and
access support.</p><p>On 4 September 2023, NHS England launched the health service’s
first sexual safety charter for those who work, train and learn within the healthcare
system. The charter is an agreement comprising of 10 pledges, including commitments
to provide staff with clear reporting mechanisms, training and support from managers.
Those organisations signing up to the Charter commit to taking and enforcing a zero-tolerance
approach to any form of sexual misconduct in the workplace, with a commitment to implement
the pledges by July 2024.</p>
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