Perhaps she doesn't realise these requests are never a "one-off". Her comments indicate frustration, disappointment and despair; giving up, even.
Saying "stay silent" was bound to cause a reaction and it has, particularly from those who work in the area of trying to stop sexual harassment and abuse; those wanting to see positive change.
Dr McMullin says that sexism is rife among surgeons in Australia - sexual gratification, harassment and bullying. If you speak up and complain that's your career over.
You will never get work at any top public hospital in Australia. She cites the case of Dr Caroline Tan, who took a sexual harassment charge against a surgeon and won. It was a hollow victory though because that effectively ended Dr Tan's career.
I don't agree with Dr McMullin on another point either "to treat everyone as a potential attacker".
Again, I sense her frustration but this is wrong. When you take this view you are creating a culture of unnecessary fear. And that will never bring about the behaviour change you want.
I don't believe most surgeons in Australian hospitals are sexual predators.
What you do have is a system that has allowed a culture to develop, over many years obviously, that demeans women in their workplace and supports men getting away with their grossly inappropriate behaviour - a whole system of support leaning more to protect the abuser than the victim.
Men are the first ones who should be pulling their male colleagues up, going to the support of female medical trainees and junior doctors.
Men who allow other men to talk about, put down and undervalue women in the workplace, are condoning this behaviour.
They need to develop their own courage. Get some balls, in other words.
Bad behaviour is obvious especially when it has been allowed to develop over a long time. You don't have to wait for women to speak up.
Some will fear for their job, others will not have the confidence and stamina to take action, and most are too afraid.
If only good men would realise how they could help end what Dr McMullin has highlighted, "the rampant sexism in this male-dominated profession".
I asked at the Lakes District Health Board meeting last week if we provide pastoral care for our medical students. I was assured we do. Now I wish I had been more specific: "What measures do we put in place for the safe reporting of sexual harassment, who conducts the investigation and how do we ensure job protection for someone who does report?"
Of course, it's management's job to have good processes in place, but from my own work knowledge and experience of reported cases many are handled poorly.
New Zealand is not Australia. Or is it? How do we know?
Who's asking our female medical trainees and junior doctors, "Are you safe in your work place? Have you been subjected to sexual harassment or requests for sexual gratification?"
We can't afford to be smug. Ask the damn questions; don't take for granted "no news is good news".
The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons is considering investigating the claims made by Dr McMullin.
Changes may be made when the findings are known. If it's not to be an independent inquiry I hope Dr McMullin will be a member of the inquiry team.
She was the fearless surgeon who aired her views on this major issue in the first place. She's already a surgeon so we can presume her job is safe.
I hope she never had to suffer the indignity of "putting up and shutting up".
-Merepeka lives in Rotorua. She writes, speaks and broadcasts to thwart the spread of political correctness.
