Doctors’ sexual misconduct: signs of regulatory change emerge

Growing scrutiny of sexual misconduct within the medical profession is prompting renewed attention to how UK regulators respond to allegations against doctors. At the Professional Standards Authority’s (PSA) 2024 annual research conference, Dr Emma Yapp, Senior Research Associate at the University of Bristol, presented findings from the Powerful Perpetrators project—an initiative examining how professional regulators address sexual misconduct by their own registrants.

The conference, held in October 2024, focused on the experiences of witnesses in fitness to practise proceedings. Dr Yapp’s presentation highlighted the emotional and procedural challenges faced by individuals who report sexual misconduct, including barriers to disclosure, inconsistent regulatory responses, and the psychological impact of participating in investigations.

The Powerful Perpetrators project, led by Dr Natasha Mulvihill, explores how power dynamics and institutional structures can enable misconduct to persist. It also investigates how regulators may inadvertently reinforce these dynamics through their handling of cases. The research draws on survivor testimony, regulatory case analysis, and interviews with professionals across health and social care.

Co-author Allegra Boka-Mawete notes that while progress has been slow, there are signs of change. Some regulators are beginning to adopt trauma-informed approaches, improve transparency, and strengthen sanctions in cases involving sexual misconduct. These developments reflect growing public and professional pressure for accountability and reform.

However, the researchers caution that meaningful change requires more than procedural updates. They argue for a cultural shift in how misconduct is understood and addressed—one that prioritises the experiences of those harmed and challenges the status and influence of perpetrators within professional hierarchies.

The PSA conference underscored the importance of survivor-centred regulation and the need for consistent standards across professions. As the sector continues to grapple with these issues, the work of the Powerful Perpetrators project offers valuable insight into the systemic reforms needed to protect patients and uphold public trust.

Further information about the PSA’s 2024 research conference is available here, and details of the Powerful Perpetrators project can be found here.

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