Dozens of Sexual Assaults Reported at Dorset Hospitals Since 2020, Figures Reveal

By Jake Brewer

Dozens of sexual assaults have been reported at hospitals across Dorset in the past five years, with more than half of the alleged offenders working for the NHS at the time, new police figures show.

A total of 78 rapes and sexual assaults were reported on hospital grounds between 2020 and September 2025, according to data released by Dorset Police following a Freedom of Information (FOI) request.

Of those, 43 incidents involved NHS employees, and 32 took place on hospital wards, where patients are often at their most vulnerable.

The figures, published last week on the Dorset Police website, have prompted calls for tighter safeguarding measures and stronger support for victims in healthcare settings.

“Hospitals should be places of safety”

Local campaigners have expressed alarm at the findings.

“Hospitals should be places of healing and safety — not fear. “The fact that so many alleged offenders were staff members is deeply troubling. We need to know that systems are in place to protect patients and hold perpetrators accountable.”

The FOI data show that the highest number of reports was received in 2020 (19), followed by 2021 (18). The numbers then dropped to around ten per year between 2022 and 2024, before rising again to 12 so far in 2025 (as of 22 September).

Despite the volume of reports, only five cases over the five years resulted in a criminal charge. Dorset Police did not disclose how many of those led to convictions.

Allegations on hospital wards

More than 40% of the assaults were reported as happening on hospital wards, though police noted that 17 reports did not specify an exact location.

The data covers any incident recorded at an address containing the word “hospital” or identified as a hospital location in police records. Dorset Police did not name specific hospitals, but the figures likely cover sites across Bournemouth, Poole, and Dorchester.

Few charges raise questions

The low number of charges compared with reports has raised questions about the difficulty of investigating offences in medical environments, where patients may be ill, sedated, or otherwise unable to report incidents promptly.

The figures should prompt both police and the NHS to review how such cases are handled — from the moment of disclosure through to investigation and prosecution.

Calls for action

Advocacy groups say more needs to be done to ensure patients can safely report concerns without fear of being dismissed or disbelieved.

“We need clear reporting lines, independent advocates in hospitals, and staff trained to spot and stop inappropriate behaviour. “If even one patient suffers in silence, that’s one too many.”

Transparency welcomed

While the disclosure paints a disturbing picture, transparency campaigners welcomed Dorset Police’s decision to publish the data.

A call for safety and trust

For survivors, the figures are a stark reminder that sexual violence can occur even in places meant to provide care.

Campaigners hope the attention brought by the FOI release will lead to tangible reforms, from stronger supervision of staff to better training and more robust support systems for victims.

Hospitals are meant to be sanctuaries. It’s time we make sure they truly are.