Direct access services
Sexual misconduct in any form is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated in the NHS.
Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust is committed to ensuring workplaces are safe for staff and patients and are free from sexual misconduct. We’re already taking steps to accomplish this goal.
We are a proud signatory of the first-ever sexual safety charter and are working in collaboration with healthcare systems and people with lived experience to provide staff with clear reporting mechanisms, training and support.
The Trust is implementing the sexual safety charter by actively reviewing and updating support and guidance to assist colleagues who have experienced or witnessed sexual misconduct in the workplace.
The new Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023 creates a duty on employers to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment of their employees in the workplace. Implementing the sexual safety charter is one of the ways the Trust is embedding the NHS People Promise ensuring that our people are safe and feel safe.
Support for staff
If you have experienced sexual misconduct in the workplace, we encourage you to speak up so that we can support you confidentially and take necessary action.
If you’ve experienced rape or sexual assault, the police and other organisations are there to help. Call 999 to report a rape or attempted sexual assault, as soon as possible. Further advice is online. You don't have to report the assault to the police if you don't want to.
Please see below the support available to all our staff:
Please contact your HR business partner. If you don’t know who this is, you can contact krft.
You can contact our Freedom to speak up team on hrch.
- Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) - NHS SARCs offer medical, practical and emotional support to anyone who has been raped, sexually assaulted or abused. SARCs have specially trained doctors, nurses and support workers. Find your nearest SARC here. More information on the services SARC’s provide is online.
- Healthcare regulators - regulators oversee conduct of professions. Healthcare regulators may have a role to play depending on the profession of the alleged perpetrator. Contact details can be found on the Professional Standards Authority website.
- Independent Acas helpline - the Acas helpline is open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, for anyone who needs employment law or workplace advice in relation to sexual harassment. Provided by Rape Crisis, the online chat and rape and sexual abuse support line is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, for anyone affected. Acas can also provide legal advice. Visit the Acas website, for telephone number, text relay and online chat function.