Sexual Misconduct: Are You Aware?

Sexual misconduct, a continuum of unwanted acts and behaviors that ranges from discrimination to assault, is a growing concern in health care. There is often a power dynamic involved, with the perpetrator having greater positional power than the victim. Both health care providers and educators in health care programs need to be aware of sexual misconduct.  This includes using consent when working with a patient and/or student as wells as being sensitive to how varying contextual factors impact how actions and conversations are received. Schools and programs have a responsibility to educate individuals on prevention and recognition of sexual misconduct, reporting sexual misconduct, and responding to sexual misconduct.