Locked in the back of an ambulance and sexually assaulted: Female paramedics reveal ‘toxic culture’ of harassment
Warning – contains graphic details of sexual assault, self-harm and suicide.
The first time she was groped at work, Freya says she was 24 years old, a newly qualified paramedic, and was cleaning out the cupboards of the ambulance station crew room.
“He came behind me without me realising. I was cleaning away, and he put his hands around my body and grabbed my breasts,” said Freya, which is not her real name.
“Then he said, ‘Well, I won’t bother doing that again’.
“People just laughed, some didn’t even look up from the TV. Like it was nothing, completely normal.”
Her story mirrors that of other current and former paramedics who, in several interviews with Sky News, painted a picture of widespread sexual harassment and a toxic culture of misogyny.
The head of the College of Paramedics, Tracy Nicholls, said: “Problems exist in every [NHS] trust, across all four countries in the United Kingdom.”
NHS England told Sky News that any form of sexual misconduct was “completely unacceptable” and every trust had committed to an action plan to improve sexual safety.
Chief executive of the College of Paramedics Tracy Nicholls
‘I had the career I loved stolen from me’
Freya said she put up with jokes and comments for more than a decade – until one day she was locked in the back of an ambulance and sexually assaulted by a senior colleague.
“He just put his hand straight down my top. I was like, in shock. I couldn’t move. I didn’t know how to react. I just froze, absolutely froze,” she said.
“If that wasn’t enough, he then took my breast out. I remember him sucking on my nipple.
“Then, he took out his pen… and he drew a smiley face above and below my nipple.
“I remember going into a station immediately when we got back, and I washed and scrubbed myself and got rid of the ink. He took a photo of it as well on his phone to send to me.”
Freya said it destroyed both her career and mental health.
“I have scars – mentally and physically. I had the career I loved stolen from me. And I’m lonely now, I’m on my own, because I can’t trust anyone.”
She was later rushed to hospital for trying to amputate her breast and even tried to take her own life.
Freya has since left the ambulance service and received a payout from her former employer.
‘A minority just feel that behaviour is acceptable’
After students began speaking up about their experiences of harassment, the College of Paramedics began an investigation, running support workshops for the trainees.
Tracy Nicholls, chief executive of the professional body, said: “We have found that our student or female student council members are experiencing misogyny and sexual harassment – if not on a daily basis then on a weekly basis, by a minority of people who just feel that that behaviour is acceptable.”
Ms Nicholls is particularly concerned with the treatment of student paramedics, some of whom reported to the College being pressured into things in exchange for being passed on assignments.
She said: “Sometimes it’s perceived as banter, but immediately there’s a power imbalance there for that student. And sometimes it progresses to a really difficult space where they say ‘I won’t sign you off, until maybe you come out for a date with me’ or ‘I won’t sign you off until you send me a picture of yourself’.”
Ms Nicholls said she would tell her two granddaughters not to join the ambulance service, unless things dramatically change.
‘Fresh meat’
Laura – not her real name – is currently a paramedic for a different ambulance service.
She describes sexual harassment as “incessant” in the profession. She says students and new recruits are routinely referred to as “fresh meat”, subjected to sexual comments, questions and jokes – even in front of patients – and are continually sexualised by some male colleagues.
“It’s exhausting,” she said. “You come to work wanting to help your patients but every day you’re dealing with inappropriate behaviour and sexual comments.”
“I realised I looked forward to the winter months where it’s colder, where I can wear my jacket more often so that I’m more covered up.”
“We’ve got the same uniform, you know, we’ve got a standardised unisex uniform, and I shouldn’t have to feel like I’m being objectified and looked up and down by my colleagues, but that’s what happens.”
Do you have a story you would like to share? Email sky.today@sky.uk or Whatsapp 07583000853
Read more:
MoD payouts for bullying and harassment claims doubles
Third of female NHS surgical staff have been sexually assaulted
Laura is also concerned about the prevalence of relationships between mentors and mentees.
“I’m not saying relationships in the workplace are completely off the cards,” she said.
“But, very often the stories I’ve heard of include mentors who have got wives and kids at home, and almost preying on these students who they think don’t know any better.
“And the student looks up to this paramedic, and the mentor will play on that. And will take advantage of the power that they have.”
Laura loves her job and says she’s speaking out because she wants change to ensure she and other women feel safe enough to stay in the service.
Fear of reprisals
Carol King, a former operations manager at South Western Ambulance Service, where she was in charge of 130 staff, says there’s an inherent power imbalance and vulnerability to working as a paramedic that abusers can exploit.
“So you’ve usually got two people together in an ambulance, obviously it’s isolating, you’re really vulnerable. If there’s an age gap the newer paramedic or trainee might see the older one as their idol.
“And if something does happen you’re afraid of saying anything to anybody senior because you always think you’re going to get reprisals, possibly that you won’t get another job, you won’t be able to move up the career ladder.”
Ms King left the Ambulance Service in 2017.
Carol King, a former operations manager at South Western Ambulance Service
John Martin, chief executive at the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT), said: “We do not tolerate any member of staff not demonstrating our trust values and behaviours…
“We expect everybody – our people, volunteers and all those that engage with our organisation – to commit to ensuring SWASFT is a safe, supportive and inclusive work place for all.
“We have robust policies and procedures in place for colleagues and volunteers, who include our students, to raise concerns, and we encourage anyone affected by inappropriate conduct to have the confidence to come forward to enable us to take appropriate action.”
‘Completely unacceptable’
The complaints have been backed by a series of reports in recent years into various trusts.
This winter, the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives published a report highlighting concerns for “sexual safety” of staff working in the sector.
They found sexual harassment is deemed “acceptable” or a “rite of passage” in NHS trusts, which “normalises or creates a toxic culture” with “risks to mental and physical health”, and “potentially patient safety”.
They suggested the reason for such a culture lay in “specific factors, such as the nature of working within the ambulance service, having a hierarchical organisation, and having a workforce that until recently has been male dominated, are all thought to contribute to some potential issues with culture or attitudes”.
An NHS spokesperson said: “Any form of sexual misconduct is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated in the NHS.
“NHS England is taking action to ensure the safety of patients, staff and students by rolling out better reporting mechanisms, training and support as part of the NHS’s new Sexual Safety Charter, and all trusts and local health systems have been asked to appoint a domestic abuse and sexual violence lead, with more than 300 now in place across England.
“Every ambulance trust in England has committed to a single action plan – co-produced by those who have faced misogyny or sexual harassment in the workplace – which commits to improving sexual safety in the ambulance service.”
Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK
Victims of grooming gangs and modern slavery are being denied compensation by a government scheme because of their criminal records, Sky News has learned.
Analysis of official figures by Sky News’ Data & Forensics team shows more than 11,000 victims of crime over the last decade have been denied payouts because of their unspent convictions, including children.
The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority can award money to victims of violent crime, including sexual abuse.
It is the only government compensation scheme for victims – for those unable to work due to injuries, the money can be vital.
But, if an applicant has a criminal record, they are automatically refused compensation with limited exceptions.
Those with unspent convictions sometimes receive reduced sums.
Sky News has found that at least 130 children with criminal records have received reduced awards over the last 10 years, including 50 victims of sex abuse, four victims of brain damage, and one child who lost sight in an eye.
This rule on unspent convictions is based on the idea that public funds should only compensate blameless victims of crime and not, for example, a gang member who was injured in a fight.
But many argue the policy punishes those who have been forced to offend by exploiters, as well as victims of child sexual abuse.
‘I was frustrated that I wasn’t being believed’
Arthur Sherry, 43, from Perranporth in Cornwall was regularly abused by his babysitter from the age of five, including suffering rape.
In 2008, he reported it to Devon and Cornwall Police, alongside two other victims. He alleges the police did not believe him, and charges were not brought against his abuser.
Arthur Sherry, who was abused as a child, says he was denied compensation because of his criminal record
Arthur became angry and descended into addiction as a “coping mechanism”, becoming suicidal, and was repeatedly arrested for minor offences, such as making false calls to the emergency services.
“I wasn’t getting support from any agencies, and no one asked me, ‘Why is this man ringing the emergency services all the time?'”
“It was a cry for help. I was frustrated that I wasn’t being believed.”
Eventually, Arthur’s abuser, Shaun Burton, was convicted of multiple offences against children, including 11 counts of indecency with a child in relation to Mr Sherry.
But when Arthur, who suffers from complex PTSD, subsequently tried to make a claim through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority in 2013, it was rejected because of his criminal record and because he submitted his application beyond CICA’s time limit.
He was not allowed to appeal the decision.
Arthur, aged 12 in the picture, was regularly abused by his babysitter, Shaun Burton, from the age of five
Many survivors of grooming gangs have criminal records due to being exploited and coerced.
While the government recently announced plans to disregard child prostitution convictions for these victims, many are urging authorities to go further and pardon all related offences.
Former victims’ commissioner Dame Vera Baird said: “They were not exercising their own free will and voluntarily committing crime, so there should be a discretion to look at that and say, ‘No, that wasn’t their fault’.
“They should get compensation for all the evil that was done to them by that gang.”
In 2022, the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse recommended that the government amend the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme so that “applicants with unspent convictions are not automatically excluded where offences are likely to be linked to the circumstances of their sexual abuse as a child”.
The government has refused to act on this recommendation.
However, Labour MP Sarah Champion has tabled an amendment to the upcoming Victims and Courts Bill, hoping to implement it, as well as widen eligibility to the scheme.
“Victims are seen as running a cannabis farm and get a conviction, before it actually turns out that they were a victim of modern slavery.
“These people, who are very clearly recognised as victims and survivors, aren’t getting the money that’s owed to them. The system is broken and the ministers need to get rid of it.”
‘I was frustrated that I wasn’t being believed,’ Arthur tells Sky News’ Alice Porter
Read more from Sky News:
Wintry blast ‘could be a dry run for a cold December’
What does Trump’s Gaza peace plan look like?
A government spokesperson said: “Last year, more than £164m was paid out under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme to victims, and we are going further by removing the time limit for civil personal injury claims and doubling Home Office funding for services supporting adult victims and survivors of child sexual abuse.
“Changes to the way we compensate victims have been considered by successive governments, and our priority must always be to treat all victims of violence equally.”
Devon and Cornwall Police said: “Tackling sexual offending is a key priority for Devon & Cornwall Police and we are working hard to bring offenders to justice.
“We take reports of all sexual offences seriously and will carry out thorough investigations into reports, looking at all viable lines of enquiry.”
Nathan Gill was at Manchester airport, about to board a flight to Russia, when accepting bribes finally caught up with him.
Gill, the former leader of Reform UK Wales and a one-time member of the European Parliament, who on Friday was jailed for 10-a-half-years, was stopped by police before boarding and had his phone seized in 2021.
While they interrogated him, his home in Anglesey was raided, with detectives discovering more electronics and cash piles of €5,000 (£4,400) and $5,000 (£3,800) respectively.
Nathan Gill being questioned. Pic: Met Police
The evidence on Gill’s phone would damn him – he was in contact with a pro-Russian politician in Ukraine, Oleg Voloshyn, and had agreed to boost pro-Russia viewpoints in exchange for money.
Voloshyn would dictate the statement, and Gill would repeat it – in some cases, almost word for word – in the media or the European Parliament.
In one instance, Gill appeared on the now-banned Ukrainian TV channel, 112 Ukraine, which was known for its pro-Russian stance.
In the interview, he was critical of the Ukrainian decision to open criminal proceedings against Viktor Medvedchuk, the owner of the television channel and a personal friend of Vladimir Putin.
Nathan Gill. Pic: Met Police
Speaking to the outlet, he said he was “very concerned” about the investigation, and wondered whether it was meant to silence “opposition politicians”.
Prosecutors said messages on Gill’s phone showed that this was at his paymaster’s instruction, with Voloshyn offering a “reward” if he would say that it was unacceptable to persecute a person for their political convictions.
Read more:
Reform UK’s former Wales leader jailed
Trump’s 28-point Ukraine peace plan in full
Voloshyn also offered the MEP €2,000 (£1,750) if he would express concern that Mr Medvedchuk could no longer mediate with Russia on Ukraine’s behalf, the court heard.
He added that “V” – understood to be Mr Medvedchuk – did not believe Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had “true intentions to pursue a peace agenda”, prosecutors said.
Bundles of cash were recovered from Gill’s home. Pic: Met Police
Sure enough, Gill appeared on 112 Ukraine saying it was “very sad” that Mr Medvedchuk felt he no longer had Mr Zelensky’s backing to act as a mediator with Russia, and suggested that using him “would be a sensible thing to do”.
The messages traded in innuendo, referring to the exchange of “Xmas gifts” or “postcards” instead of money.
But as the pair grew more comfortable with each other, they bargained more explicitly, with the sum of “£5k” quoted for Gill’s work.
Dominic Murphy, head of Counter Terrorism Command at the Met Police, said Gill had also offered access to other MEPs.
“This is where we get into that slightly odd situation where it feels very much like a real effort to undermine democracy here,” he said.
“This is Nathan Gill reaching out to individuals that he knows, who are Brits, who might be willing to be paid to go and make speeches.”
Commander Murphy declined to name names, but said there was an ongoing investigation and that other people had been spoken to.
None of the pro-Brexit MEPs Gill allegedly approached have been interviewed under caution.
Pic: Met Police
Police confirmed there was no evidence to suggest Reform UK leader Nigel Farage was involved.
Gill was stopped at Manchester Airport on 13 September 2021, under schedule 3 of the Counter Terrorism and Borders Security Act 2019.
He offered police no explanation for his actions and answered no comment in a March 2022 police interview.
But the 52-year-old is believed to have had financial problems.
Mr Murphy added that while Gill appeared to have pro-Russian sympathies, he was primarily motivated by money.
The ex-MEP has been jailed for 10-and-a-half years after pleading guilty to eight counts of bribery between December 2018 and July 2019.
Following an investigation by counter-terrorism police, officers said they believe Gill likely took a minimum of £40,000 in cash and was offering to introduce other British MEPs so they could be bribed.
Voloshyn was picked up by the authorities on a trip to the US in 2021, which enabled the FBI to discover his end of the conversation.
He is now believed to be in Russia, but has been sanctioned by the UK government over allegations of trying to destabilise Ukraine.
Nathan Gill pleaded guilty to eight counts of bribery over pro-Russian statements. Including to media outlet 112 Ukraine. Pic: Met Police
He remains wanted in both Britain and Ukraine.
A Reform UK spokesman said: “Mr Gill’s actions were reprehensible, treasonous and unforgivable.
“We are glad that justice has been served and fully welcome the sentence Nathan Gill has received.”
Mr Farage, the Reform UK leader, said: “An investigation into Russian and Chinese influence over British politics would be welcome.”
The MP for Clacton previously described his former colleague as a “bad apple” and said he was “shocked” after Gill pleaded guilty to eight counts of bribery.
He said: “Any political party can find in their midst all sorts of terrible people.
“You can never, ever guarantee 100% that everyone you meet in your life, you shake hands with in the pub, is a good person.”
-
Sports2 years agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Sports3 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports2 years agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Sports3 years agoButton battles heat exhaustion in NASCAR debut
-
Sports3 years agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Sports4 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Environment3 years agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Environment1 year agoHere are the best electric bikes you can buy at every price level in October 2024