Sexual Harassment in Intensive Care Unit Settings

Background and aims: Sexual harassment in intensive care units (ICUs) is a critical yet underreported issue affecting staff and patients alike. This review examines the prevalence, typologies, risk factors, legal frameworks, and barriers to reporting within ICU environments. Data sources: Peer-reviewed literature from PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, along with verified media reports and legal documents, were reviewed. Study selection: Included sources focused on ICU-specific sexual harassment involving healthcare workers and patients. Studies and sources addressing legal responses, institutional mechanisms, and vulnerable populations were prioritized. Data synthesis: Intensive care unit harassment stems from peers, superiors, patients, and attendants, manifesting across verbal, physical, and digital forms. Female, LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer+), and junior staff, as well as sedated patients, face heightened risk. Barriers to reporting include fear of retaliation, cultural stigma, and ineffective institutional redressal. Legal mandates like India's POSH Act remain poorly enforced. Conclusion: Harassment in ICUs threatens staff safety and patient dignity. Addressing it demands ICU-specific policy, trauma-informed reporting systems, and cultural change toward accountability and protection. How to cite this article: Gondode P, Dass C, Singh R, Khanna P. Sexual Harassment in Intensive Care Unit Settings. Indian J Crit Care Med 2026;30(2):165-172.