“You have nice breasts”
Women report sexual harassment at the doctor
Visiting the doctor can also have unpleasant experiences for women
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They are supposed to help us and mostly they do: Doctors. But women also experience sexual assaults in the supposedly protected space of the consulting room – and nasty come-ons.
This text first appeared here brigitte.de.
Karin* from Ludwigsburg takes her five-year-old son to the family doctor because she needs a sick note because of her cold. When she wants to leave the consulting room with the child by the hand, the doctor hits her on the buttocks and says enthusiastically: “You remind me of my ex-girlfriend!” Karin is so shocked that she says nothing or does nothing – like many women who experience sexual assault.
Insulting remarks, a dirty undertone, the hand on the knee: women experience situations at the doctor’s that are hurtful and humiliating, and which often leave them speechless with shame or anger. This ranges from unjustified transgression of the personal distance zone to meaningful looks and clear sayings to inappropriate touching.
Austrian Twitter user @Joanalistin managed to break the silence. Under the hashtag “FrauenBeimArzt” she encouraged women to share sexist experiences and sexualized assaults that they experienced in doctor’s offices:
“I would like to make visible what sexualized or degrading experiences women have had when visiting the doctor #FrauenBeimArzt”
Within a week, more than 1000 responses were collected in which women shared their experiences. Some also talked about keeping their experiences to themselves for a long time.
This is also confirmed by Sebastian Franke from the Hamburg Medical Association: only three to four percent of the complaints filed there deal with sexual harassment by doctors. But reporting such abuse can help women empower themselves and help doctors at least change their behavior. The crux: The attacks mostly happen behind closed doors – without witnesses.
Where can I complain about a doctor?
Affected patients can submit a written complaint to the Medical Association. The medical association in whose federal state the doctor has his practice is responsible. The medical associations may ask accused doctors to make a statement. Under certain circumstances, the chamber can initiate professional legal proceedings against the doctor, which can ultimately lead to the withdrawal of the license to practice medicine, according to Markus Hüttmann from the Independent Patient Advice Center Germany (UPD). However, the medical associations do not have the powers of law enforcement agencies. To report sexual harassment or sexualized violence, you must contact the responsible police or public prosecutor’s office.
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Affected women can also contact the UPD. The psychosocial team of the organization is also there for those affected in acute stressful situations and can support them with further steps.
*The name is known to the editors