Nearly 20,000 new reports of sexual assault, harassment, and rape involving patients and staff were found across more than 30 mental health trusts in England since 2019, according to the News/Independent Patient 11 podcast investigation.
The current state of affairs has been called “appalling” and “alarming” by Rape Crisis England & Wales (RCE).
It wants the government to designate a minister in charge of women’s safety on mental health wards, women-only wards, and a clause allowing victims to testify, in addition to calling for a public inquiry.
“We are concerned that without major intervention and leadership at the highest levels, this could lead to sexual violence and abuse simply being accepted as inevitable, when it is absolutely preventable,” said Ciara Bergman, CEO of RCE.
