Medical students report years of sexual harassment

Charlotte Buttercase, a 24-year-old medical student at the University of Manchester, has detailed years of repeated sexual harassment targeting herself and at least 30 other female students in an open letter signed by over 1,000 people. The abuse included anonymous phone calls early in the morning, where women were subjected to threats, demands for sexual favors, and gender-based slurs, with some reporting in-person harassment during hospital placements. Buttercase stated that 15 women had already contributed to a police report before her letter was published, and additional cases have since emerged, including one former student who alleged assault by a consultant surgeon but was told to stay silent. The university confirmed it is treating the allegations with 'the utmost seriousness' and has launched a formal investigation alongside a broader review of systemic issues. Professor Ashley Blom, Vice-President and Dean of the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, emphasized that no student should feel unsafe and that meaningful change would be implemented. The British Medical Association (BMA) described the incidents as 'appalling,' noting that 84% of respondents in a recent survey believed sexism was a problem in medical education. The BMA also highlighted that one in four students reported experiencing sexual harassment in a broader survey. Buttercase’s letter revealed that harassers had accessed students’ details through hospital systems, further escalating fears of vulnerability. She argued that such behavior had persisted for over a decade and demanded institutional accountability. Greater Manchester Police has been approached for comment, though no official response has been provided. The university’s spokesman reiterated its commitment to supporting affected students and addressing the cultural issues identified.