Betrayal of Trust: Two Cases Where Healthcare Became a Space of Humiliation for Women
A 23-year-old student, Marzia Sardo , went to the Policlinico Hospital in Rome for a severe migraine. According to her account, during a CT scan, a radiologist allegedly made a sexist remark to her: after the young woman asked if she should remove her bra for the scan, the radiology technician, also addressing his colleagues present, said: "If you want to take it off, make everyone happy." Sardo chose to report the incident in a TikTok video, which went viral, sparking outrage and solidarity: "We just want to feel respected and safe," she said.
A few days earlier, another incident had sparked a debate on the same issues: a midwifery intern in Catania posted a video on TikTok in which, referring to his job, he complained of being "forced to see so many women and not being able to have sex." The incident went viral, sparking calls for his suspension and accusations of sexism.
Two different stories, but united by a common thread: places that should protect and care are transformed into spaces of harassment, degrading jokes, or abuse of power. Neither case involved a doctor, but two members of the healthcare staff.
Hospitals, clinics, and doctors' offices should be safe spaces where people can trust healthcare workers, demonstrating their fragility and vulnerability. This vulnerability makes abuse and sexist language even more serious, as they undermine the relationship of trust that should be established between patient and healthcare professional .
This relationship between healthcare workers and those who turn to them is already marked by a strong power imbalance : on one side, those seeking help; on the other, those in possession of the skills, tools, and technical language. If a patriarchal view of women is added to this asymmetry, the risk is that the moment of care becomes a place of humiliation. The words of the Catania intern and the joke directed at Marzia Sardo reveal a still-rooted mentality, in which women are seen not as subjects to be protected but as bodies to be commented on or objectified .
It's not an individual problem, but a cultural and systemic one. Medical schools and healthcare organizations rarely include mandatory training programs on ethics, gender equality, and inclusive language . Yet, it's precisely there that the professionals called upon to work in the most intimate moments of people's lives are trained.
The public outcry, amplified by social media, has brought visibility to dynamics that often remain hidden . But the real challenge cannot stop at the momentary outrage. Clear protocols, sanctions, and ethical and linguistic training for healthcare workers are needed. Above all, a cultural transformation is needed: understanding that care is not just about technology, but also about respect, listening, and responsibility.
Luce
