Colleagues may have seen the shocking media coverage last week, highlighting the widespread sexual harassment of female surgeons across the country. 

Sexual misconduct can happen to anyone, anywhere – it is crucial that when colleagues come to work, they feel safe and supported.

Our Chief Executive, Brendan Brown, touched upon this news in CHFT Live on Wednesday, and said: "If any of you have experienced or witnessed that kind of horrific behaviour, or have any concerns, then I would ask you to please escalate this immediately to your line manager. If you don't feel able to speak to them, then please speak to a member of the Executive Team or our Freedom to Speak Up Guardian."

We are committed to taking and enforcing a zero-tolerance approach to any unwanted, inappropriate and/or harmful sexual behaviours within the workplace. Brendan has added his signature on behalf of CHFT to NHS England's first ever Sexual Safety in Healthcare Organisational Charter.

As signatories to this charter, we commit to a zero-tolerance approach to any unwanted, inappropriate and/or harmful sexual behaviours towards our workforce. We commit to the following principles and actions to achieve this:

1. We will actively work to eradicate sexual harassment and abuse in the workplace.
2. We will promote a culture that fosters openness and transparency, and does not tolerate unwanted, harmful and/or inappropriate sexual behaviours.
3. We will take an intersectional approach to the sexual safety of our workforce, recognising certain groups will experience sexual harassment and abuse at a disproportionate rate.
4. We will provide appropriate support for those in our workforce who experience unwanted, inappropriate and/or harmful sexual behaviours.
5. We will clearly communicate standards of behaviour. This includes expected action for those who witness inappropriate, unwanted and/or harmful sexual behaviour.
6. We will ensure appropriate, specific, and clear policies are in place. They will include appropriate and timely action against alleged perpetrators.
7. We will ensure appropriate, specific, and clear training is in place.
8. We will ensure appropriate reporting mechanisms are in place for those experiencing these behaviours.
9. We will take all reports seriously and appropriate and timely action will be taken in all cases.
10. We will capture and share data on prevalence and staff experience transparently.

These commitments will apply to everyone in our organisation equally. Where any of the above is not currently in place, we commit to work towards ensuring it is in place by July 2024.