What does this research mean for the field?

Sexual harassment is highly prevalent in acute care nursing within the NHS, driven by organizational culture and under-reporting, and requires urgent leadership and comprehensive interventions to establish a zero-tolerance environment. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.SYNTHESIS. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate the prevalence and drivers of sexual harassment within acute care nursing and identify organizational strategies to foster safer workplace environments.

September 5, 2026British Journal of Nursing

Addressing sexual harassment within acute care nursing

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Authors

SHSamantha Hagan CDClaire Dosdale

Discussion

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Overview

Narrative review examines sexual harassment risks in acute care nursing, highlighting the need for active bystander training and safe reporting systems.

Key Points

To evaluate the prevalence and drivers of sexual harassment within acute care nursing and identify organizational strategies to foster safer workplace environments.
Synthesized findings from United Kingdom National Health Service survey data, formal workplace investigations, and peer-reviewed academic literature.
Assessed institutional interventions including educational e-learning modules, policy accessibility, and active bystander training programs.
Identified acute care environments, including operating theatres and intensive care units, as carrying heightened risk for unwanted sexual behaviors from peers, patients, and visitors.
Determined that pervasive under-reporting stems from hierarchical cultures, fear of professional repercussions, and an absence of psychologically safe reporting mechanisms.
Concluded that mitigating harassment requires sustained clinical leadership, zero-tolerance policy enforcement, and proactive active bystander interventions.

Cite This Study

Hagan et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a9bd4216b95aff0620eb802 https://doi.org/10.12968/bjon.2025.0290

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September 5, 2026British Journal of Nursing

Addressing sexual harassment within acute care nursing

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

SHSamantha Hagan CDClaire Dosdale

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Narrative review examines sexual harassment risks in acute care nursing, highlighting the need for active bystander training and safe reporting systems.

Key Points

To evaluate the prevalence and drivers of sexual harassment within acute care nursing and identify organizational strategies to foster safer workplace environments.
Synthesized findings from United Kingdom National Health Service survey data, formal workplace investigations, and peer-reviewed academic literature.
Assessed institutional interventions including educational e-learning modules, policy accessibility, and active bystander training programs.
Identified acute care environments, including operating theatres and intensive care units, as carrying heightened risk for unwanted sexual behaviors from peers, patients, and visitors.
Determined that pervasive under-reporting stems from hierarchical cultures, fear of professional repercussions, and an absence of psychologically safe reporting mechanisms.
Concluded that mitigating harassment requires sustained clinical leadership, zero-tolerance policy enforcement, and proactive active bystander interventions.

Cite This Study

Hagan et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a9bd4216b95aff0620eb802 https://doi.org/10.12968/bjon.2025.0290

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