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Advocacy & Activism

Intimate Partner Violence

Screening, response, referral, and surgeons around the world moving from response to prevention.

American College of Surgeons

Committee on Intimate Partner Violence

Member · since October 2026

The committee works to raise awareness of IPV in the surgical community, to help surgeons recognize its signs and consequences in themselves and their colleagues, to provide resources for survivors, and to create resources and curricula with partner organizations.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic or sexual violence:
National Domestic Violence Hotline, free and confidential, 24/7 · 1-800-799-7233 · text START to 88788
RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline, free and confidential, 24/7 · 800.656.HOPE (4673) · text “HOPE” to 64673 · chat at RAINN.org/hotline

What it is

Intimate partner violence

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is abuse or aggression by a current or former spouse or dating partner. It can be physical or sexual violence, stalking, or psychological aggression, and it can range from a single episode to years of severe abuse (CDC CDC ). It is common, it causes injuries that surgeons treat, and the American College of Surgeons calls it a major public health problem. The College asks surgeons to screen for IPV, refer patients and follow up, teach IPV in surgical training, and step in when a colleague or trainee is affected (ACS Statement on IPV).

In the PRAISE study (The Lancet, 2013), 1 in 6 women seen in orthopaedic fracture clinics reported IPV in the past year. Of the 49 women whose fracture came from IPV, only 7 had ever been asked about it in a health care setting.

Screening, response & referral

Around the world

Surgeons around the world, moving from response to prevention

Surgical colleges taking on sexual harassment, and women surgeons’ networks building support, region by region.

Europe UK & Europe

Cover of the WPSMS report Breaking the Silence Breaking the Silence (UK, 2023) The Working Party on Sexual Misconduct in Surgery’s independent report. In a survey of 1,434 members of the surgical workforce in the UK and Ireland, 63.3% of women and 23.7% of men had been sexually harassed by colleagues, and only 16% of those affected made a formal report. Screenshot: WPSMS report cover RCS EnglandRoyal College of Surgeons of England Sexual misconduct in surgery The college’s zero-tolerance work, building on Breaking the Silence and its 2025 report Turning the Tide, including a call for a national independent anonymous reporting mechanism. Learning from AustraliaRCS England, October 2026 From recognising and responding to preventing A conversation at RCS England with Kate Jenkins AO, former Australian Sex Discrimination Commissioner, on what the UK can learn from Australia’s approach to preventing workplace sexual harassment. See Australia & Aotearoa New Zealand, below

Australia Australia & Aotearoa New Zealand

Building RespectRoyal Australasian College of Surgeons RACS: Building Respect The college’s action plan on discrimination, bullying and sexual harassment in surgery, launched in 2015, and its Let’s Operate With Respect campaign, which began in 2016. Operating with RespectRACS course RACS: Operating with Respect A one-day course in recognising, managing and preventing discrimination, bullying and sexual harassment, developed in response to the action plan. It is compulsory for surgical supervisors and committee members. Women in SurgeryRACS section RACS Women in Surgery Section Supports women in surgical training and practice, and has been fundamental in establishing college guidelines on issues such as discrimination and harassment and safe working hours.

Africa Women surgeons supporting women surgeons

Screenshot of the Women in Surgery Africa About page Women in Surgery Africa (WiSA) Founded in 2015 and recognised by the College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa (COSECSA), WiSA offers mentorship, community and advocacy for gender equity in surgery. Screenshot: WiSA website Screenshot of the Pan African Women's Association of Surgeons About page Pan African Women’s Association of Surgeons A continental network of women surgeons, “from Cape Town to Cairo,” working to inspire, encourage and support women in surgery. Screenshot: PAWAS website Screenshot of the Surgical Society of Kenya KAWS page Kenya Association of Women Surgeons Part of the Surgical Society of Kenya, KAWS brings women surgeons together through gatherings such as its Health & Wellness Day. Screenshot: Surgical Society of Kenya website
Now

More of what I’m working on

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