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More than half of nurses and physiotherapists in Spain say they have been sexually harassed at work, according to a major new study released by the national nursing union SATSE.

 

The large-scale survey, based on responses from 7,400 health professionals across the country, reveals a disturbing pattern of misconduct ranging from sexist jokes and unwanted touching to outright sexual propositions from patients, colleagues and even superiors.

 

“These are not isolated events,” said SATSE president Laura Villaseñor. “Care professions, like ours, have historically been stereotyped and sexualised, which is exacerbated by the physical proximity inherent in our work and by the mistaken perception that we are ‘at the service’ of others.”

 

According to the union’s findings, around half of those surveyed reported enduring offensive comments or jokes while carrying out their duties, while a third said they were told sexually explicit stories in the workplace. One in five reported being whistled at or catcalled as they moved around their work area.

 

Far more worrying, three in ten said their personal space had been deliberately invaded during working hours, and a similar number described enduring inappropriate sexual stares. One in five reported unwanted physical contact, while 22 percent experienced attempts to brush against them in an overtly sexual manner.

 

Examples ranged from hands placed on the waist or unwanted hugs to touching of the buttocks or other intimate parts of the body. One female nurse from Alicante recalled how “a superior approached me from behind, pressing himself against me and pretending it was a joke.” Another described “a colleague who repeatedly cornered me in his office to make sexual advances.”

 

The survey also highlights that most of these cases go unreported. A staggering 85 percent of those affected said they had not informed management or filed complaints, citing either a lack of confidence in the reporting procedures or uncertainty over their rights. Many said they doubted reporting the incident would lead to meaningful action.

 

SATSE said these results point to a culture where harassment has become normalised, leaving perpetrators free from consequences. The union is urging employers and public authorities to take immediate action to protect their staff through stricter adherence to equality and anti-harassment protocols.

 

The report also calls for new preventive measures, including mandatory training for all staff, continuous awareness campaigns and stronger workplace protocols to ensure victims receive proper support. SATSE argues that sexual harassment should be treated as a serious occupational risk, not a minor workplace issue.

 

“Every nurse and physiotherapist deserves to feel safe and respected,” said Villaseñor. “It is time to adopt a culture of zero tolerance for harassment in our hospitals, health centres and clinics.”

 

The findings suggest that sexism and harassment remain an alarming reality in Spain’s healthcare system, with 60 percent of professionals saying they have experienced at least one of these situations in the past three years.

 

 

 

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