Client Safety INDEX.PHP
Attention Buttons Help Protect Massage Clients
published on Friday, October 10th, 2025
A version of this article appeared in the May/June 2023 issue of Massage & Bodywork. It has been updated and revised for this blog. Sexual Assault in a Massage Context In 2018, the National Crime Victimization Survey revealed an estimated total of 734,630 sexual violence incidents happening per year. And only 25% […]
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Investigating Sexual Assault Complaints in Massage Businesses and Spas
published on Friday, September 26th, 2025
Today’s topic is investigating sexual assault complaints in massage businesses and spas. When you take on a sexual assault case involving a massage therapist, especially if you have not had this type of case before, it is crucial to discover who conducted the initial investigation. Was it the spa itself, or did they hire an […]
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What Ethics Training Should Spas Provide to Massage Therapists? Part Two
published on Friday, August 29th, 2025
This is Part Two of the topic, “What ethics training should spas provide to massage therapists?” We have established that any business that employs massage therapists should train them in ethics. And that this training addresses any gaps in a therapist’s schooling, as well as acts as an additional screening opportunity against predatory therapists. We […]
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What Ethics Training Should Spas Provide to Massage Therapists? Part One
published on Friday, August 29th, 2025
In any day spa or wellness-oriented business that employs massage therapists, it is imperative that management provides ethics training to its employees. Not only does ethics training bridge the gap from schooling, but it also provides another screening opportunity for any hires with predatory tendencies. Therefore, one key benefit of ethics training for massage therapists […]
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What Are the Standards of Care to Prevent the Hiring of Predatory Massage Therapists?
published on Friday, August 15th, 2025
I have worked as an expert witness in a massage context for the past 20+ years and have encountered a variety of cases involving predatory massage therapists. One thing that almost all of these cases have in common is that the business, whether a day spa or another type of wellness-focused facility, was missing essential […]
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Comprehensive Therapist Onboarding is Vital to Keeping Spas and Clients Safe
published on Friday, June 6th, 2025
When a spa organization hires a massage therapist, there are several steps to screen for predatory behavior. As described previously in other blogs, there must be a robust interview process that includes many challenging red-flag questions. There are also license checks, reference checks, and background checks, but one of the most important screening methods occurs […]
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Expert Witness Insight: Common Reasons Why a Massage Client Injury Occurs
published on Friday, May 23rd, 2025
Most therapists sincerely want to help their clients feel better, whether the treatment is about relaxation, a specific injury, or pain. Unfortunately, in my work as an expert witness, I have seen both cases of well-meaning therapists who have seriously injured their clients and poorly trained therapists with big egos who have injured their clients. […]
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An Essential Element of a Sexual Assault Prevention Program in Massage
published on Friday, February 14th, 2025
There are many touch points in the hiring process where predator therapists can be identified. But even if an organization has a robust interview process, thorough reference checks, and criminal and predator background checks, some therapists with predatory tendencies will still inevitably slip through the hiring and vetting process. This is why it’s important to […]
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A Spa Business Must Have an Effective Client Survey
published on Friday, January 31st, 2025
In order to perpetuate a team culture invested in sexual assault prevention, where a business and its clients can stay safe, a spa business must have an effective client survey. No one except the client and the massage therapist can know what’s happening in the treatment room, which means businesses must get that information directly […]
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Keep Your Massage Spa or Practice and Clients Safe with an Educational Bill of Rights
published on Thursday, January 16th, 2025
Keep Your Massage Spa or Practice and Clients Safe with an Educational Bill of Rights Day spas, franchises, and massage clinics should educate their clients about what to expect as well as their rights. Creating a client educational brochure or section of a website to inform clients of their rights regarding safety is an important […]
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How to Screen Predators with Robust Verbal and Hands-On Massage Interviews
published on Thursday, January 2nd, 2025
Protect Your Clients and Massage Business From Hiring Mistakes The massage profession is attractive to predators because they can be alone in a room with a vulnerable client who is wearing little to no clothing. That’s why it’s vital for employers to protect their clients and their massage business from hiring mistakes by screening for […]
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Touching the Genital Region is Never an Accident
published on Friday, December 6th, 2024
Touching the Genital Region is Never an Accident Sexual assault is a national and global problem. In the United States, there were over 430,00 sexual assaults in 2023. One in six women and one in 33 men were sexually assaulted in that year. We also know that 70-80% of all sexual assaults are never […]
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Common Tactic by Predator Massage Therapists: Pelvic Contact
published on Thursday, October 3rd, 2024
Make Pelvic Contact with the Client’s Head or Body A massage therapist should not stand directly above the client’s head when working on the lower back so that the therapist’s pelvis cannot make contact with the client’s head. When working on the client’s lower back correctly, standing at the head of the table can be […]
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Expert Witness Insight: Working on the Lower Abdomen
published on Friday, August 16th, 2024
Working on the Lower Abdomen Some massage therapists work on the abdomen, but only when requested and for a particular reason. Abdominal massage can be very beneficial for certain conditions. However, the abdomen—especially the lower abdomen—is a very sensual area for most people, so when predator therapists start working on the lower abdomen, they are […]
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Working On the Chest in Order to Move to the Breast
published on Wednesday, July 31st, 2024
Working On the Chest in Order to Move to the Breast When working on the pectoral muscles, the drape is lowered slightly. The pectoral muscles can be massaged appropriately, working not more than one or two inches below the collarbone. The point is that therapists are trained to work on the pectoral muscles while avoiding […]
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Expert Witness Insight: Touching the Side of the Breast When Lying Face Down
published on Thursday, July 11th, 2024
Touching the Side of the Breast When Lying Face Down I would say that more than 99% of massage therapists are ethical professionals who would never commit a sexual assault on anyone. Massage therapists who are sexual predators are usually male and frequently test and groom the clients they choose to assault sexually. For example: […]
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Expert Witness Insight: When Massage Therapists Work on the Buttocks
published on Friday, May 17th, 2024
When massage therapists work on the buttocks, clear communication is needed so the client feels safe. This area of the body is not usually touched by anyone other than an intimate partner. Consent is Required for Work on the Buttock in Massage Work in this sensitive area necessitates a conversation with the client before […]
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How High is Appropriate to Massage on the Upper Inner Thigh?
published on Monday, May 6th, 2024
How High on the Upper Inner Thigh to Massage? The upper inner thigh is one of the gateway areas where predator massage therapists begin their sexual assault. The thigh should be draped so that the pelvis and the inner thigh are securely covered. The drape is generally a sheet tucked under the thigh and […]
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Expert Witness Insight: Sexual Assault and Poor Draping in Massage Therapy
published on Wednesday, March 20th, 2024
What is Draping in Massage Therapy? Draping in massage therapy means securely covering the body with a sheet, blanket, and/or towel so that the private areas of the body are covered, feel safe, and are not ever exposed. These areas include the genitals, the female breasts, and the lower buttock, where the gluteal cleft is, […]
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