South Wales Wales

Welsh ambulance worker abused by patient felt ‘ashamed’

June 7, 2023
Cardiff News Online reporter

Incidents of sexual misconduct against ambulance staff in Wales have been steadily increasing over the past five years, leaving workers feeling vulnerable and exposed. Between January 2018 and March 2023, a total of 86 reports of sexual harassment and assault were recorded, with nearly two-thirds of physical attacks being of a sexual nature. However, a women’s charity warns that these figures likely underestimate the true scale of the problem due to under-reporting. The rise in reported incidents is attributed to increased confidence among staff to come forward and report abuse, although concerns about being belittled or not taken seriously still persist.

Sara, an ambulance worker who was sexually assaulted by a patient, shared her experience and expressed how such abuse occurs far too frequently in their line of work. She highlighted instances of inappropriate remarks and unwanted advances made by the public, which leave her feeling extremely vulnerable. The data obtained through a freedom of information request reveals a significant increase in recorded incidents from just one in 2018 to 30 in 2022. Thirteen incidents were already reported by March 2023, indicating a potential further increase this year.

Stephanie Grimshaw, of Welsh Women’s Aid, says people worry about the impact reporting abuse will have on their job

Sara believes the rise in reporting is a positive development, attributing it to increased confidence and the support she received from the Welsh Ambulance Service Trust (WAST). However, she worries that many others remain silent due to fears of being belittled or dismissed by their colleagues. This fear of not being taken seriously is a common concern raised by Welsh Women’s Aid, leading to underreporting of sexual misconduct in the workplace.

Sir Chris Bryant, MP for Rhondda, emphasized the importance of employers, including WAST, collaborating with unions and staff to prevent attacks on emergency workers. He highlighted the Assaults on Emergency Workers Act (2018), which increased the maximum sentence for attacking such staff, but stressed that legislation alone is not enough to protect workers. The ongoing abuse faced by staff is disheartening, especially when it contributes to the potential loss of experienced professionals in an already struggling ambulance service.

Jason Killens, CEO of WAST, acknowledged the increase in reported incidents and attributed it to the organization’s efforts to encourage reporting and provide support to affected staff. He mentioned the impact of the With Us Not Against Us campaign, launched in May 2021, which aims to raise awareness about the abuse faced by emergency workers. Killens expressed sadness upon hearing Sara’s experience and emphasized the need for continuous improvement and feedback from staff to enhance support mechanisms.

WAST reported 98% of incidents to the police and emphasized their commitment to working with enforcement agencies to ensure that those guilty of assaulting their staff face appropriate penalties. The service has implemented various welfare measures, including a confidential reporting platform, to support and encourage staff to come forward without fearing negative consequences on their careers. WAST also reiterated its dedication to partnering with trade unions to address this issue and reaffirmed their full support for any staff members affected by incidents of abuse.