Protection of hospitalized mental patients against sexual assault and abuse

According to Israeli law the medical administration of a psychiatric hospital is responsible for the welfare, both physical and mental, of patients hospitalized in such a hospital and has therefore to take all measures apt to protect such patients against sexual assault and abuse. Any act of commission or omission which fails to comply with this duty may result in the administration, including its members personally, having to bear the responsibility, according to both penal and civil law, for the consequences suffered by the patient owing to a breach of their duty as mentioned above. Hospitalization of mental patients in absolutely separate wards for men and woman is the best means to ensure this protection. Therefore it is the duty of the medical administrator to provide hospitalization in separate wards for men and women.