Sex not part of health care, say nurses
A Dutch nurses' union has launched a national campaign to stress that sexual services are definitely not part of the country's standard healthcare.
The NU '91's campaign called 'I Draw The Line Here, was launched when a 42-year-old disabled man tried to dismiss his 24-year-old nurse after she refused to sexually gratify him on request.
Sexual acts can never be part of the responsibilities of nurses
The man had demanded sex as part of his health care services at home.
Disgusting and unaccceptable as it may seem, such behaviour, apparently wasn't unusual. The disabled man was upset with her because the other nurses were willing to do it.
When this nurse she was adamant in refusing, despite witnessing some of her colleagues performing sexual acts with him, the patient tried to have her sacked on grounds that she "wasn't fulfilling her professional duties".
But the NU '91 union respondedly strongly to the claim.
"Sexual acts can never be part of the responsibilities of carers and nurses. The question itself is an insult to the health care professional. It can be seen as mere sexual harassment."
"It is said that every client is free to ask what he / she wants. That is not so. A client may ask the caregiver to work together to find a solution such assistance through an escort agency."
"But the request as part of the care to the client to perform a sexual act is unacceptable and an insult."
" Even insults are punishable," it said in a statement.
The 'I Draw The Line Here' campaign poster features a woman covering her face with crossed hands.
- Image Source: NewYorkDaily/NU'91
Published March 4 2010
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