Employer's Toolkit: Sexual Abuse Prevention

Public protection is our priority at the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO). Patients have a right to safe, competent and ethical nursing care - and that includes the right to be safe from any sexual abuse or inappropriate behaviour.

• Introduction

• What is sexual abuse?

• Definition of a "Patient"

• The power of imbalance

• Not me: Not my colleague

• One year rule

• Vulnerable patients

• Myths about patient sexual abuse

• Informed Consent

• Developing a safe organizational culture

• Supporting nurses in self-care

• Patient initiating a relationship

• Employer policies to prevent sexual abuse

Page last reviewed April 13, 2020