“Scandal Rocks Britain”: 20,000 Sexual Assaults on Mental Health Patients
A shocking investigation has revealed that thousands of Britons, including patients, have been subjected to sexual assaults over the past 5 years within mental health institutions in England.
A joint investigation by the British network Sky News and The Independent newspaper uncovered around 20,000 complaints related to sexual assaults and harassment by both staff and patients since 2019, in more than 30 mental health facilities across England.
The investigation concluded that NHS-affiliated institutions “failed to report the majority of incidents to the police, and do not meet the vital standards designed to protect the most vulnerable patients in the United Kingdom from sexual harm.”
Many patients and their families, in the 18-month-long investigation, shared their stories of being sexually assaulted during their stays in dedicated units for mental health patients.
The investigation began with testimony from Alexis Cowan, a former British swimming star, who stated she was sexually assaulted twice, first when she was forced to sleep in a men’s ward, and second in a mixed-gender ward.
Rebecca Grant also testified that she was sexually assaulted by a staff member of the NHS.
Stephanie Tottie recounted seeking mental health services in Essex after being raped in her youth, but instead of receiving treatment, she endured sexual assault by a staff member for 5 months.
The president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, Liz Smith, described the findings as “horrifying,” while Health Minister Wes Stretton stated that the results are a “wake-up call” for the government.
Stretton added: “Anyone would be shocked that these terrible crimes were committed against patients at their most vulnerable… the fact that this is happening within the NHS is frightening.”
The National Health Service responded in a statement, stating that they would take necessary actions to ensure the safety of patients and staff, including implementing better reporting mechanisms, training, and support, as part of the new NHS Sexual Safety Charter.
