Los Angeles Therapist Sexual Abuse Lawyer

Los Angeles Therapist Sexual Abuse Attorney

Therapists are supposed to provide safe spaces for those entrusted to their care. However, when these officials breach trust through inflicting sexual abuse, the effects on the individual can be long-lasting. If you are sexually abused by a therapist or another mental health provider in Los Angeles or Southern California, you deserve accountability, validation, and justice. A Los Angeles therapist sexual abuse lawyer can help you seek this justice.

What Is Therapist Sexual Abuse?

Therapist sexual abuse is a form of misconduct where a mental health provider, such as a psychologist, psychiatrist, counselor, or social worker, engages in any type of sexual misconduct with a client. This can include, but is not limited to, unwanted touching, sexual comments, flirtation, romantic or sexual advances, or the initiation of a sexual relationship under the pretense of therapy.

It can also include grooming behaviors, the exchange of pornography or other sexualized content, or the suggestion that engaging in sexual activity is a necessary or therapeutic part of the treatment process.

Given the nature of the therapist-client relationship, any breach of professional boundaries and trust by a therapist is a form of abuse, as clients are vulnerable and are trusting the therapist with their emotional and psychological well-being. Survivors of therapist sexual abuse may not always realize that they have been abused, particularly if the abuse was framed as part of the treatment process.

In Los Angeles and throughout California, therapist sexual abuse is illegal, and therapists can be held criminally and civilly liable for their actions. Therapist sexual abuse survivors are entitled to pursue legal action against their abusers for the physical and mental damage inflicted upon them.

Los Angeles Therapist Sexual Assault Laws

Mental health professionals who commit sexual abuse perform a serious violation while simultaneously breaking the law. California legislation enables survivors to file a claim against therapists who would otherwise escape criminal charges under Penal Code § 243.4 and Business & Professions Code § 729. Survivors should consider pursuing civil claims to seek damages and help hold offenders accountable by exposing their misconduct to the public.

Nearly 90% of childhood sexual abuses are inflicted by someone the child or their family knew personally, including trusted officials like therapists. For women, those who have suffered sexual abuse in childhood are between 2 and 13 times more likely to experience it in adulthood than those who did not. Those who suffered childhood sexual abuse are also twice as likely to suffer intimate partner violence in adulthood.

This shows the importance of seeking the assistance of a therapist sexual assault attorney. Incidents of abuse have long-standing effects on the victims.

Effects of Therapist Sexual Abuse

Experiencing childhood sexual abuse can have a significant impact on victims for a long time, often extending into adulthood. These effects can be physical, psychological, mental, behavioral, and sexual in nature. Some of the physical effects include:

• Sexually transmitted diseases and infections
• Physical injuries
• Chronic conditions such as heart disease
• Stress-related illnesses

Abuse also has a significant effect on a victim’s mental health. When abuse happens to a child, they may have difficulty understanding what happened to them and why. This can cause confusion. They may also believe that the abuse was their fault, opening the door to depression and anxiety.

To cope with these feelings, individuals may also suffer from behavioral issues, such as self-harming, substance use, aggression, and suicidal attempts. Some may also engage in risky sexual behaviors, including an increased chance of becoming sexual perpetrators.

About DeMarco Law Firm

At the DeMarco Law Firm, we focus exclusively on representing survivors of childhood and institutional sexual abuse. With over 20 years of experience in handling therapist sexual assault cases, we understand the complex dynamics involved.

When you hire a therapist sexual assault lawyer from our firm, you are securing an advocate who can fight on your behalf to make your voice heard. We treat each case with the sensitive and strategic representation it needs. We are here to fight for the justice you deserve.

FAQs

Is It Illegal for a Therapist to Sleep With a Patient in California?

Yes, it is illegal for a therapist to sleep with a patient in California. It is considered exploitation, and it is a breach of their professional duties. This is especially true if the patient is a child. A therapist can face civil claims, license revocation, and potential jail time, depending on the circumstances of the incident.

What Is the 2-Year Rule for Therapists?

The 2-year rule in California prohibits a therapist from engaging in any sexual activity with a former patient for a period of 2 years following termination of treatment. Two years after treatment ends, this behavior remains legal, yet professionals advise against it because it poses ethical issues through power imbalance and potential patient exploitation.

What Are Counselors Prohibited From Doing in California?

Counselors in California are expected to avoid dual relationships that could harm their professional judgment. This includes romantic or sexual relationships with current clients. Counselors must also avoid conflicts of interest and maintain client confidentiality.

Counselors must refrain from exploiting clients and avoid harassing or discriminating against them. Counselors who break ethical standards may receive disciplinary actions or civil penalties and could lose their professional license.

When Can a Therapist Break Confidentiality in California?

A therapist can break confidentiality in California if it is legally required to do so. For instance, they can break confidentiality if a patient is a threat to themselves or others and is believed to have the potential to cause serious harm. Additionally, if there is evidence of abuse, especially in children or vulnerable adults, therapists can and should report it.

Contact the DeMarco Law Firm

If you or someone you love has been sexually abused by a therapist, you have the right to answers, support, and justice. At the DeMarco Law Firm, our therapist sexual abuse attorneys treat you with compassion and aggressively fight for your rights. Don’t let another day go by while the guilty party continues to get away with this abuse.

Contact us today for a consultation with an experienced therapist sexual assault lawyer.