From Mr E. Abela

Reference is made to the article entitled “Study shows that nurses are sexually harassed by patients, colleagues and superiors” (TMIS, 15 April).

The study states that out of 20 nurses, 10 (nine female and one male) suffered sexual harassment “at least once in their lifetime”. One cannot extrapolate what 10 people may have experienced at least once in a lifetime as constituting several instances of requests for sexual activity. Besides, did harassment occur mainly during student days or on several instances prior to promotion?

It is disputable (while not downplaying what these nurses may have experienced) that these findings can be generalised for the whole population that has more than 2,000 nurses.

It is ethically questionable that such research subjects who consented to such research found their experiences published on a Sunday newspaper as their colleagues might have known of their participation in this study and nine out 10 nurses can be easily identified.

The female nurses’ uniforms, which consist of full length trousers and v-neck tunics that go down to mid-thigh, is similar to that in European hospitals and is deemed comfortable and very modest in design. To label this uniform as sexy attire that “might set off men’s fantasies” is ludicrous.

The Health Division condemns all forms of sexual harassment and encourages any sufferers either to inform their management if such incidents occur or, alternatively, complain in confidence to the National Commission for the Promotion of Equality.

Emanuel Abela

Director of Information