Sexual harassment, the perceived career damage that can result from reporting such behaviour, and inconsistent standards of response by medical colleges and health services hit the headlines in early 2015.1 A background briefing paper published by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) in June 2015,2 as well as several articles in this issue of the Journal3-6 confirm these concerns are real.
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- 1. Matthews A. Surgeon Gabrielle McMullin stands by sexual harassment comments as other women come forward with their experiences. ABC News. 2015; Apr. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-03-09/gabrielle-mcmullin-stands-by-sexual-harassment-comments/6292066 (accessed Jun 2015).
- 2. Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. Expert Advisory Group on discrimination, bullying and sexual harassment. Background Briefing. Melbourne: RACS, 2015. http://www.surgeons.org/media/21827232/background-briefing-16-june-15-final.pdf (accessed Jun 2015).
- 3. Flynn J. Not so innocent bystanders [editorial]. Med J Aust 2015; 203: 163. <MJA full text>
- 4. Walton MM. Sexual equality, discrimination and harassment in medicine: it’s time to act. Med J Aust 2015; 203: 167-169. <MJA full text>
- 5. Stone L, Douglas K, Mitchell I, Raphael B. Sexual abuse of doctors by doctors: professionalism, complexity and the potential for healing. Med J Aust 2015; 203: 170-171. <MJA full text>
- 6. Mathews B. Sexual harassment in the medical profession: legal and ethical responsibilities. Med J Aust 2015; 203: 189-192. <MJA full text>
- 7. Lawler J. Australian Medical Students Association President James Lawler’s Speech at the Australian Medical Association National Conference. 2015; 30 May. https://www.amsa.org.au/uncategoried/20150530-amsa-president-james-lawlers-speech-at-the-ama-national-conference/ (accessed Jun 2015).
- 8. Miedema B, MacIntyre L, Tatemich S, et al. How the medical culture contributes to coworker-perpetrated harassment and abuse of family physicians. Ann Fam Med 2012; 10: 111-117.
- 9. Carter M, Thompson N, Crampton P, et al. Workplace bullying in the UK NHS: a questionnaire and interview study on prevalence, impact and barriers to reporting. BMJ Open 2013; 3(6): e002628.
- 10. Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. Code of Conduct. 2nd ed. Melbourne: RACS, 2011.
- 11. Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. Expert Advisory Group on discrimination, bullying and sexual harassment. Issues paper. Melbourne: RACS, 2015. https://www.surgeons.org/media/21828366/eag-issues-paper-v7-2206-update.pdf (accessed Jun 2015).
- 12. Hillis DJ, Grigg MJ. Professionalism and the role of medical colleges. Surgeon 2015; Apr 25. [Epub ahead of print]. doi:10.1016/j.surge.2015.04.001 (accessed Jun 2015).
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