Sexism and sexual violence remain pervasive across UK medical schools and clinical placements, according to a new survey by the British Medical Association (BMA).

The UK-wide survey of nearly 1000 medical students found that 41% of female and 19% of male respondents had experienced sexual harassment or sexual assault at university.

Respondents reported 37 incidents of rape or assault by penetration, 85 cases of sexual assault, and 43 of drink spiking.

The Medical Schools Council said it was “deeply concerned” by the findings and would be “actively strengthening” its reporting and safeguarding systems.

Erosion of Trust

The findings highlight a growing loss of trust between students and the institutions meant to protect them, the BMA said.

Three in four respondents who reported incidents said they were not satisfied with how they were handled. 

Two in three said they did not report at all because they believed nothing would be done.

Ostracised for Speaking Up

A female student from the south of England said her ordeal began at the start of medical school when another student harassed her.

“When I first went to the university for help, I was told not to report it as we keep these things within the medics,” she told the BMA. 

She said that when she eventually reported the incident, she was “forced down reporting routes that ultimately rendered my case futile and left me feeling punished and ostracised for speaking up.”

Despite promises of safeguards, the perpetrator remained in her classes. Some respondents said they were discouraged from contacting police to avoid harming the university’s reputation. 

“The only outcome was I was labelled ‘unprofessional’ and ‘difficult to work with’ — labels that can severely tarnish your reputation as a doctor,” the medical student said.

The same student later reported being sexually assaulted by a doctor but said she could not face going through the process again.

Overall, 60% of respondents said they did not trust their medical school to handle future incidents adequately.

Failings on Clinical Placement

Another female medical student said she was sexually assaulted by a senior doctor while on placement. “The reporting process has been retraumatising and destructive and has dragged on for over a year,” she told the BMA. “It has left me with little faith in the system.”

She said medical students are often left without adequate safeguards despite working alongside NHS staff. 

“We work in NHS hospitals without the protections afforded to NHS staff. Meanwhile, university processes are not geared to handle what happens on placement.”

Nearly 7 in 10 female students (69%) reported sexism during placements.

Gender Bias Still Shaping Careers

The survey also found that 43% of students said gendered advice had influenced their career decisions. One student said she was discouraged from pursuing surgery and told to consider general practice as it was “more compatible with having children.”

Dr Emma Runswick, BMA deputy chair of council, said the findings expose a dangerous culture of impunity. “The lack of accountability coupled with the power imbalance for perpetrators, especially when they are senior doctors, can lead to the normalisation of sexist and inappropriate behaviours in the NHS and beyond,” she said.

She added that immediate action is needed to protect the next generation of doctors.

Medical Schools and NHS Promise Change

Dr Katie Petty-Saphon, CEO of the Medical Schools Council, said medical schools “recognise and value the insights provided by reports such as this. 

“They shed light on persistent challenges and provide vital information that helps us work more effectively to drive change. We are committed to improving reporting and safeguarding and ensure that medical students can thrive in a safe and protected environment.”

Danny Mortimer, chief executive of NHS Employers, described the report’s findings as “bleak and worrying.”

“The NHS will work with our university colleagues to ensure we better protect and support medical students, drawing on the work we are already doing with our trade union colleagues and the commitment of the government to set clear standards for staff experience,” he said.

Julie Penfold is a freelance journalist specialising in healthcare and medical content. Her work regularly appears in titles such as Medscape, Doctors.net.uk , and Hospital Healthcare Europe.