Warning – Contains graphic details of sexual assault, self-harm, and suicide.
Freya, 24 and a newly qualified paramedic, was cleaning a cupboard in an ambulance crew room when she was first molested at work.
“He came up behind me without me noticing. As I was cleaning, he put his arms around me and grabbed my breasts,” Freya said. . This is not her real name.
“Then he said, ‘Well, I don’t care about that anymore.’
“People were just laughing, some didn’t even look up from the TV. It was like nothing had happened, it was completely normal.”
Her story echoes those of other current and former emergency workers who, in several interviews with Sky News, have painted a picture of a toxic culture of rampant sexual harassment and misogyny.
“There are problems in all areas,” said Tracy Nichols, principal of the College of Paramedics. [NHS] Build trust in all four countries of the UK. ”
NHS England told Sky News that any form of sexual misconduct is “completely unacceptable” and all trusts are working on action plans to improve sexual safety.
“My beloved career was taken away from me.”
Freya said she had put up with the jokes and comments for more than 10 years, until one day she was trapped in the back of an ambulance and sexually assaulted by a senior colleague.
“He put his hands right on top of me. I was in shock and couldn’t move. I didn’t know how to react. I just froze, really froze. ” she said.
“If that wasn’t enough, he took out my breasts. I remember him sucking my nipples.
“Then he took out a pen and drew a smiley face above and below my nipples.
“I remember going into the station as soon as I got back, washing and scrubbing the ink off. He also took a picture with his phone and sent it to me.”
Freya said it destroyed both her career and her mental health.
“I’m traumatized. Mentally and physically. I was robbed of a career that I loved, and now I’m lonely and on my own because I can’t trust anyone.”
She was then taken to hospital where she attempted to have her chest amputated and then attempted to take her own life.
Freya has since left the ambulance service and received benefits from her former employer.
“A minority just feels that the behavior is acceptable.”
After students began speaking out about their experiences with harassment, the College of Paramedics launched an investigation and conducted support workshops for trainees.
Tracy Nicholls, chief executive of the professional body, said: ‘Our students and sorority members are subjected to misogynistic and sexual harassment by a small number of people on a weekly, if not daily, basis. I realized that,” he said. The behavior feels acceptable. ”
Ms Nichols was particularly concerned about the treatment of student paramedics, with some paramedics reporting to the university being put under pressure instead of being given assignments.
“Sometimes it’s taken as a joke, but it quickly creates a power imbalance for that student. And sometimes it develops into a very difficult situation where you say, ‘I’m not signing until you come on a date. “With me,” or “I won’t sign off until you send me a picture of yourself.”
Ms Nicholls said she plans to tell her two granddaughters not to join the ambulance service unless the situation changes dramatically.
‘Fresh meat’
Laura (not her real name) is currently a paramedic for another ambulance service.
She said sexual harassment is “constant” in the profession. She said students and new employees are routinely referred to as “fresh meat,” are subjected to sexual comments, questions and jokes even in front of patients, and are treated as sexual objects by some male colleagues. It is said that he continues to be treated as such.
“It’s tiring,” she said. “You come to work wanting to help patients, but you deal with inappropriate behavior and sexual comments every day.”
“I find myself looking forward to the winter when it’s colder and I can wear a jacket more often for more coverage.”
“We wear the same uniform. We wear standardized unisex uniforms. You don’t have to feel objectified or looked down upon by your colleagues. It should be, but that’s the reality.”
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Laura is also concerned about the prevalence of relationships between mentors and mentees.
“I’m not saying that relationships in the workplace are completely flawless,” she says.
“But I often hear stories of mentors who have wives and children at home almost preying on students who they think know less than they do.
“And the students respect these paramedics, and the instructors will take advantage of that. And they will take advantage of the power that they have.”
Laura says she’s speaking out because she loves her job and wants to see change so she and other women can continue to do it safely.
fear of retaliation
Carole King, a former operations manager for Southwestern Ambulance Service who was responsible for 130 staff, said working as a paramedic had inherent power imbalances and vulnerabilities that abusers could exploit. They say it has sex.
“There are usually two people in an ambulance, but they are obviously isolated and very vulnerable. If there is an age difference, newer paramedics or trainees may see the older person as an idol. not.
“And if something happens, you’re afraid to say something to someone above you because you’re afraid of retaliation, or maybe you won’t get the next job, or move up the career ladder.” Because I’m always thinking that maybe not.” ”
King retired from the ambulance service in 2017.
John Martin, chief executive of South Western Ambulance Services NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT), said: “We will not tolerate staff who do not demonstrate the values and behaviors of trust…”
“We expect all of our employees, volunteers and everyone involved in our organization to be committed to ensuring that SWASFT is a safe, supportive and inclusive workplace for all. I am.
“We have robust policies and procedures in place to enable our colleagues and volunteers, including students, to raise concerns and to encourage anyone affected by inappropriate behavior to come forward with confidence. We encourage you to take appropriate action.”
“Totally unacceptable”
The complaint is supported by a series of reports against various trusts in recent years.
This winter, the Association of Chief Ambulance Officers published a report highlighting concerns about the “sexual safety” of staff working in emergency departments.
They said sexual harassment is considered “acceptable” or a “rite of passage” in NHS trusts and that it entails “risks to mental and physical health” and “potentially patient safety”. “normalizes or creates a harmful culture.”
They say the reason for such a culture is that “certain factors such as the nature of work within the ambulance service, its hierarchical organization, and its until recently male-dominated workforce all have some potential influence. He suggested that this is because it is believed that A question of culture and attitude. ”
An NHS spokesperson said: “Any form of sexual misconduct is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated in the NHS.”
“NHS England is taking steps to ensure the safety of patients, staff and students by rolling out better reporting mechanisms, training and support as part of the NHS’s new Sexual Safety Charter, and all Trusts and local health systems are being asked to appoint national experts on abuse and sexual violence, with more than 300 currently in place across England.
“All ambulance agencies in the UK are working on a single action plan to improve sexual safety in ambulance services, developed jointly by people who have faced misogyny and sexual harassment in the workplace.”
Anyone who is experiencing mental distress or having suicidal thoughts can seek help in the UK by calling Samaritans on 116 123 or by emailing [email protected]. In the United States, call your local Samaritans branch or call 1 (800) 273-TALK.