A new government report in Japan found that over 15% of hospitals and long-term medical care facilities have recorded cases of patient sexual assault or abuse. The Children and Families Agency's first-of-its-kind survey highlights concerns that the actual prevalence may be higher. Many reported incidents involved medical staff, particularly in psychiatry.

More than 15 per cent of hospitals and long-term medical care facilities across Japan have recorded cases of sexual assault or abuse of patients, according to a new government report, as concerns mount that the actual figures may be higher. The Children and Families Agency released the results of the survey – the first of its kind – on Tuesday, with 1,113 institutions of the 5,000 invited to take part providing responses. Many of the incidents involved medical staff in psychiatry and...