Widespread sexual abuse in healthcare exposed in inspectorate's report
Recent reports have uncovered a prevalence of sexual misconduct in the healthcare sector, with over 11,000 individuals aged 16 and older falling victim in the past year. The data, provided by the Scientific Research and Data Center (WODC), reveals widespread issues ranging from unwanted sexual advances to serious assaults. In response to these statistics, the Health and Youth Care Inspectorate (IGJ) has released a report expressing deep concern over the state of sexual misconduct in healthcare.
The IGJ is calling for immediate action to prevent further harm, as the number of cases reported to the Inspectorate is significantly lower than the true scale of the issue. While 330 cases were reported to the IGJ in 2024, IGJ inspector Selini Roozen-Vlachos emphasized that the actual number of incidents is likely much higher. "The real number is likely over 11,000," Roozen-Vlachos told de Volkskrant. "And that’s still an underestimate, as it doesn’t even include incidents involving minors or patients in institutional care."
The WODC data shows that approximately 44 percent of the reported cases took place within healthcare institutions, revealing the systemic nature of the problem. "This goes against everything healthcare stands for," said Roozen-Vlachos. "Healthcare professionals are supposed to care for patients, not harm them."
The IGJ’s report highlights that the healthcare sector, alongside the hospitality industry, has some of the highest rates of sexual misconduct. This is largely attributed to the power imbalances present in patient-caregiver relationships, where vulnerable patients often have little ability to challenge inappropriate behavior. "Healthcare settings are ripe for abuse due to one-on-one care, physical contact, and intimate moments in a patient’s life," Roozen-Vlachos explained.
The range of misconduct reported spans from inappropriate comments and online harassment to more severe acts, including unwanted touching, assault, and even rape. Nearly 9,000 victims were targeted by "offline" sexual harassment, while around 3,000 experienced "online" harassment. Almost 2,000 individuals were subjected to physical sexual misconduct, including assault and rape disguised as medical procedures.
Despite the high frequency of these incidents, most cases go unreported. "Patients are often afraid they won’t be believed or that coming forward will jeopardize their treatment," said Roozen-Vlachos. "This silence only enables further abuse."
When cases are reported, legal action can be difficult. "Clear evidence, such as text messages or physical proof, can lead to action," said Roozen-Vlachos. "But many healthcare providers aren’t registered with necessary professional bodies, complicating legal intervention."
In 2024, 67 percent of victims were women, and 70 percent of perpetrators were male. When female perpetrators were involved, they were generally younger than their male counterparts.
"The damage to the trust between healthcare providers and patients is profound," the IGJ report notes. "The emotional toll of such misconduct is severe and long-lasting."
Despite growing awareness and reporting, the IGJ warns that much more needs to be done. The Inspectorate is calling on healthcare institutions, professional bodies, and industry organizations to take stronger, proactive steps to prevent misconduct before it happens.
"We must not only react to abuse but actively prevent it," Roozen-Vlachos said. "It’s crucial to address the issue head-on to protect patients and restore the integrity of healthcare."
