Sexual corruption: recognising the “abuse of power” in professional sexual misconduct

Abstract

Purpose
This study aims to draw on Bjarnegård et al. (2024) to consider the value of applying a “sexual corruption” framework within criminal justice and internal disciplinary (“administrative justice”) systems, to respond to sexual misconduct by England and Wales/UK public sector professionals.

Design/methodology/approach
The study used a comparative case study design, analysing public documents relating to four purposively selected cases involving sexual misconduct (doctor, police officer, politician and soldier).

Findings
This study’s pilot analysis suggests that abuse of power was central, pervasive and recognised in each of the case studies. The sexual gain and quid pro quo elements of the framework were more ambiguous and harder to evidence. The paper suggests that administrative justice systems may be well placed to adopt an abuse of power/abuse of position approach to sexual corruption so that it establishes a fully perpetrator-focused definition.

Practical implications
Practical implications included: To give voice to forms of behaviour which have been somewhat neglected in the corruption literature to date. Recognise the gravity of sexual corruption behaviour over and above sexual misconduct more generally. Shift focus from the victim to the perpetrators and their abuse of power. Demonstrate how some forms of sexual harassment should be given more weight because of power dynamics.

Originality/value
Definitions of sexual misconduct involving abuse of power often fall between the established remits of “sexual offending” and “corruption” in both criminal and administrative justice systems. The combined term “sexual corruption” provides a novel perspective in understanding how English/UK professions are responding to abuse of power for sexual gain.