J Korean Med Assoc.  2018 Jun;61(6):342-347. 10.5124/jkma.2018.61.6.342.

Workplace sexual violence against nurses and the role of professional associations

• Cha C

• KMID: 2414142
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2018.61.6.342

Abstract

Globally, more than half of nurses are exposed to workplace sexual violence. The high prevalence of workplace sexual violence among nurses should be understood in terms of the unique aspects of their work environment, including the sexual objectification of nurses, the hierarchical structure of health care institutions, an organizational culture unresponsive to sexual violence, and nurses' role as care providers. Professional associations for health care providers could play significant roles in eradicating workplace sexual violence by taking the following steps: being stakeholders in preparing relevant legislation, developing policy in collaboration with other associations and government bodies, laying the foundation for building systematic support for health care institutions, conducting surveys on sexual violence on a regular basis, and providing a monitoring and support system in collaboration with professional organizations dedicated to sexual violence.

Keyword

Nurses; Sex offenses; Workplace violence

MeSH Terms

Cooperative Behavior
Delivery of Health Care
Health Personnel
Humans
Organizational Culture
Prevalence
Sex Offenses*
Societies
Workplace Violence

Reference

1. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Workplace violence in healthcare [Internet]. Washington, DC: Occupational Safety and Health Administration;2015. cited 2018 May 8. Available from: https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3826.pdf.

2. Gomaa AE, Tapp LC, Luckhaupt SE, Vanoli K, Francis Sarmiento R, Raudabaugh WM, Nowlin S, Sprigg SM. Occupational traumatic injuries among workers in health care facilities: United States, 2012–2014 [Internet]. Washington, DC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;2015. cited 2018 May 8. Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6415a2.htm.

3. Hibino Y, Ogino K, Inagaki M. Sexual harassment of female nurses by patients in Japan. J Nurs Scholarsh. 2006; 38:400–405.

4. International Council of Nurses. Guidelines on coping with violence in the workplace [Internet]. Geneva: International Council of Nurses;2007. cited 2018 May 8. Available from: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/579770cd197aea84455d6908/t/57d86302d1758e16f4e0f072/1473798914990/guideline_violence.pdf.

5. Gerberich SG, Church TR, McGovern PM, Hansen HE, Nachreiner NM, Geisser MS, Ryan AD, Mongin SJ, Watt GD. An epidemiological study of the magnitude and consequences of work related violence: the Minnesota Nurses' Study. Occup Environ Med. 2004; 61:495–503.

6. Korean Health and Medical Workers' Union. Survey on human rights and gapgil in health care. Seoul: Korean Health and Medical Workers' Union;2018.

7. National Human Rights Commission of Korea. Survey on human rights including maternity protection for women workers in health care. Seoul: National Human Rights Commission of Korea;2015.

8. Korean Health and Medical Workers' Union. Survey report. Seoul: Korean Health and Medical Workers' Union;2008.

9. Wang LJ, Chen CK, Sheng YC, Lu PW, Chen YT, Chen HJ, Lin JS. Workplace sexual harassment in two general hospitals in Taiwan: the incidence, perception, and gender differences. J Occup Health. 2012; 54:56–63.

10. Spector PE, Zhou ZE, Che XX. Nurse exposure to physical and nonphysical violence, bullying, and sexual harassment: a quantitative review. Int J Nurs Stud. 2014; 51:72–84.

11. Sato K, Wakabayashi T, Kiyoshi-Teo H, Fukahori H. Factors associated with nurses' reporting of patients' aggressive behavior: a cross-sectional survey. Int J Nurs Stud. 2013; 50:1368–1376.

12. Park HJ, Kang HS, Kim KH, Kwon HJ. Exposure to workplace violence and coping in intensive care unit nurses. J Korean Acad Psychiatr Ment Health Nurs. 2011; 20:291–301.

13. Wiskow C. Guidelines on workplace violence in the health sector [Internet]. Geneva: World Health Organization;2003. cited 2018 May 8. Available from: http://www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/violence/interpersonal/en/WV_ComparisonGuidelines.pdf.

14. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Preventing workplace violence: a road map for healthcare facilities [Internet]. Washington, DC: Occupational Safety and Health Administration;2015. cited 2018 May 8. Available from: https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3827.pdf.

15. International Labour Office. International Council of Nurse. World Health Organization. Public Services International. International Council of Nurse. Framework guidelines for addressing workplace violence in the health sector [Internet]. Geneva: International Labour Office;2002. cited 2018 May 8. Available from: http://www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/violence/interpersonal/en/WVguidelinesEN.pdf?ua=1&ua=1.

16. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Guidelines for preventing workplace violence for healthcare and social service workers [Internet]. Washington, DC: Occupational Safety and Health Administration;2016. cited 2018 May 8. Available from: https://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3148.pdf.

17. Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers' Compensation. Health care facilities and workplace violence prevention [Internet]. Austin: Texas Department of Insurance;cited 2018 May 8. Available from: https://www.tdi.texas.gov/pubs/videoresource/stpwpvhealthc.pdf.

18. Speroni KG, Fitch T, Dawson E, Dugan L, Atherton M. Incidence and cost of nurse workplace violence perpetrated by hospital patients or patient visitors. J Emerg Nurs. 2014; 40:218–228.

19. Emergency Nurses Association. ENA workplace violence toolkit [Internet]. Des Plaines: Emergency Nurses Association;2010. cited 2018 May 8. Available from: https://www.ena.org/docs/default-source/resource-library/practice-resources/toolkits/workplaceviolencetoolkit.pdf?sfvrsn=6785bc04_28.

20. Ministry of Gender Equality and Family. Guidelines for women and children's rights promotion projects 2017. Daejeon: National Archives of Korea;2017. cited 2018 May 8. Available from: http://www.archives.go.kr/next/search/showDetailPopup.do?rc_code=1310377&rc_rfile_no=201808317617&rc_ritem_no=000000000001.