Navigating Safely in the Massage Therapy Industry: A Guide for Therapists and a Reminder for Ethical Client Conduct
To Our Therapists: As a licensed massage therapist, you may have encountered various forms of harassment, solicitation, and inappropriate behavior from clients. A recent study published by the University of Toronto Press found that 74.8% of massage therapists have experienced sexual harassment from clients, with only one therapist reporting the incident to the police. Another survey conducted by the Association of New Brunswick Massage Therapists showed similar results, with 75% of respondents reporting harassment or assault at least once in their career. These traumatic experiences can result in physical and psychological consequences, including anxiety, depression, and trauma. The massage therapy industry is often stigmatized by the association of massage with sexuality and the happy-ending trope in pop culture. Jokes about happy endings contribute to human trafficking, as they create a misconception of massage therapy that makes legitimate therapists vulnerable to solicitation ...