Half of Women Doctors in France Report Sexist or Sexual Violence by Colleagues

A groundbreaking report by the National Medical Council reveals pervasive abuse within the medical profession and pledges 'zero tolerance' moving forward.

A survey conducted by the National Medical Council found that 49% of female doctors in France have experienced sexist or sexual violence perpetrated by colleagues, with most incidents occurring during their medical studies.
The report highlights that 69% of incidents during studies involved individuals in positions of authority, such as professors or supervisors, while workplace incidents often involved hierarchical superiors.
Only 3% of victims reported these incidents to the Medical Council, citing fears of professional discrimination, disbelief, or retaliation, including career setbacks and isolation.
The Council has introduced an online reporting system and is advocating for legislative changes to access criminal records and sex offender registries during licensing processes.
This report follows years of advocacy, including the #MeTooHôpital movement, and aims to address the entrenched culture of silence and impunity in the medical field.