How Often Are Patients Sexually Assaulted at Hospitals?

When you go to a hospital to be treated, you never expect to be assaulted, especially by a doctor, healthcare staff member, or another person. These areas should be safe spaces. But when someone is under sedation or recovering from treatment. These incidents can happen.

How often are patients sexually assaulted in hospitals? We will look at the facts and help to shed some light on these serious and troubling problems.

The Scope of the Problem

Sexual assault in hospitals often goes underreported. With that, it can be difficult to get an exact idea of the number of these assaults. According to one study from the Federation of State Medical Boards, around 18% of Americans have encountered unethical or unprofessional behavior from healthcare providers. However, not all of those incidents involved a form of sexual misconduct. From those numbers, around 33% of these patients have actually filed a complaint.

One 2017 investigative report on the National Library of Medicine highlighted several cases where patients, especially women, were assaulted while under sedation or during medical procedures. Out of 101 noted cases of physician sexual abuse, the common forms of abuse in these cases were:

• Inappropriate touching (33%)
• Sodomy (31%)
• Rape (16%)
• Child molestation (14%)
• Consensual sex (7%)

While those numbers focus on general doctor-patient misconduct, what do statistics say about sexual abuse in hospitals?

According to an NBC News story, no national database tracks these incidents. So, as a result, there are no clear numbers about how many patients may have been sexually assaulted in a hospital setting. However, NBC stated that a 2023 Joint Commission report showed hospital self-reported data. Within that report, the incidents of assault, rape, sexual assault, and homicide rose a combined 77% over the past two years. Of those numbers, 43% were sexual assaults, including rape.

Hospitals are environments where there are differences in power dynamics. Often, these patients are sedated, unconscious, or incapacitated. As a result, they are unable to protect themselves.

Additionally, healthcare institutions can discourage victims from coming forward. When the perpetrator is a medical professional, fear of retaliation or disbelief often silences survivors.

Why Do These Events Happen?

In a hospital environment, you expect to be safe and treated with respect. However, there are several factors that can lead to sexual assault. The vulnerability of patients is a major risk factor. During their stay, these individuals may be compromised due to medication, illness, or injury. As a result, they can be easy targets for predatory behavior.

Also, the lack of oversight in certain hospital settings often allows perpetrators to exploit gaps in monitoring. For example, private rooms or secluded areas within a hospital can become sites of abuse. When there is limited staff or insufficient security measures, that can put the patient at risk.

Even the authority of a healthcare provider can lead to these assaults. Since healthcare workers hold positions of authority, they are often perceived as above suspicion. When an attack occurs, someone witnessing this action or the patient may believe it was handled under the guise of medical procedures or care.

Unfortunately, reporting these incidents can also be problematic, even when they occur. For example, many institutions lack clear protocols for handling allegations. That can leave survivors unsure of how to proceed. Additionally, the fear of reputational damage causes hospitals to prioritize protecting their image over supporting victims.

How These Incidents Impact Survivors

Like any type of abuse, these incidents often extend well beyond any physical trauma. Patients might suffer from a long range of psychological effects, such as:

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Anxiety
• Depression

Along with physical and emotional damage, there is also a betrayal of trust in a healthcare setting. Some may even fear medical environments, which can prevent these individuals from seeking necessary care in the future.

Holding These Parties Accountable

In these cases, the perpetrator, the employer, and the hospital could be held liable for these incidents. Hospitals should take extreme measures to protect patients. They need to make sure to fully vet staff members to ensure they are not putting anyone in harm’s way. Anyone who could come into contact with a patient should also be thoroughly investigated in a background check.

Hospitals have a duty of care to their patients. In these cases, it means protecting them from harm. Failing to address sexual assault not only violates this duty but also erodes public trust in healthcare institutions.

Sexual assault in hospitals is a breach of trust. While the full scope of the problem remains unclear, some studies have shown distressing numbers in the healthcare industry. If you or a loved one have been sexually assaulted in a hospital or other healthcare setting, you have the right to take legal action. Thomas Law Offices is always here to provide an initial consultation for your case.