MeToo Hospital: Are there sufficient measures to end gender-based and sexual violence?

The ministerial delegate in charge of health, Frédéric Valletoux, has just presented his first action plan to combat sexist and sexual violence in France. The proposals do not always meet the expectations of the associations.

On Wednesday, May 29, nurses gathered in front of the Ministry of Health in Paris to denounce sexist and sexual violence in hospitals and medical universities. As reports of sexual harassment mount, the MeToo movement is now spreading to the medical sector, particularly following the accusations made by infectious disease specialist Karine Lacombe against the high-profile emergency doctor Patrick Pelloux.

Rue de Grenelle, the meeting was initiated by the Emma Auclert collective. On Thursday morning, the delegation was received by the office of the Minister of Health, Frédéric Valletoux. The latter then explained to Le Parisien the government’s first measures to combat the scourge of sexist and sexual violence in the medical environment. These first initiatives will be followed by further announcements by the end of the summer.

Training and listening sessions are intended to “calm” the victims

One of the biggest difficulties for a victim is finding someone to listen to and confide in. Voilà, the former CEO will set up listening groups with outside experts, as Frès Valletoux revealed in the columns of Le Parisien, to “give the investigation the greatest possible chance of success” and “reassure the victims”. Young retirees and medical professionals could be called in on the subject. “In collaboration with the Ministry of Justice, each public prosecutor’s office will be informed,” says Daily. In addition, medical staff in health establishments will be able to improve their skills within three years. The public must have completed training on gender and sexual violence.

The Executive Director calls for transparency in order to “stop hiding”

To promote the freedom of expression of victims and to try to systematize reports in the event of abuse, an association is entrusted with running a hotline that collects reports from victims. If such a device already exists? Â l’Assistance publique-Hôopiaux de Paris (AP-HP), it does not seem to have borne fruit yet. Le Parisien specifies that the listening unit set up in 2021 has resulted in fewer than 300 reports, and 5% of these concerned dangerous situations. of a sexual and sexist nature. By forcing establishments to publish the number of reports, investigations and sanctions imposed, the government hopes to achieve transparency. “We will no longer be able to hide,” says Frédéric Valletoux, also in Le Parisien. Finally, on the subject of the presumption of innocence, the minister clarifies that “in the world of health” “the laws of the Republic also apply” and that “a report alone cannot lead to a criminal investigation”. automatic withdrawal and the disciplinary procedure must take its course,” he recalls. However, certain specific and serious cases could give rise to other types of support.

Announcements in deçà hopes

Will these announcements satisfy unions and associations? Not really, considering what the associations were demanding before the former CEO’s first action plan. The latter wanted more resources above all. “Today, there are plans in hospitals to promote equality between men and women, but these plans are being implemented without budget and staff,” laments an RMC unionist.

They are also demanding a ban on changing service for an employee who has been the victim of violence if she does not do so herself. Also a ban on the profession for students and doctors convicted by the courts. It is clear that there is not the slightest trace of this demand in the government’s announcements. For compulsory training, the government has given response elements with a long-term horizon. Three years to put the system in place. As for the disappearance of pornographic frescoes in the guard rooms, Frédéric Valletoux claims to have “asked management to remove them by the end of September at the latest”.