The Challenge of Addressing Assaults in the Massage Therapy Field: A Look at Safety, Accountability, and Awareness

For the past two years, I’ve been tracking incidents of “Massage Therapist Assaulted by Patient” through Google alerts, expecting to see real-time updates on cases of assaults against massage providers. Sadly, I rarely receive reports of clients assaulting therapists, despite knowing it happens frequently. Instead, almost daily, my inbox is flooded with news stories of male massage providers accused of assaulting female clients. This recurring pattern isn’t limited to the U.S.; it’s a global issue, and it reveals serious flaws in how our profession handles safety and accountability.

The inconsistent regulations across states and countries only worsen this issue, creating fragmented standards that fail to protect both therapists and clients effectively. In states where regulations differ, providers may face greater risks due to weaker protections and enforcement.

To understand how these issues impact us on a practical level, let’s examine an incident from 2015 in Pennsylvania. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/massage-envy-sexual-assault-allegations/ This case brings up essential discussions about the role of front-desk staff in screening clients, the tactics inappropriate employees use to manipulate their work environment, and the harmful effects of victim blaming.

The Role of Front-Desk Staff: A Critical Line of Defense

The front desk isn’t just a receptionist station; it’s a safety checkpoint. In massage therapy clinics, the front-desk staff are often the first people clients interact with. Their responsibilities go beyond booking appointments and answering calls. They’re tasked with setting a professional tone, screening for red flags, and ensuring that client-therapist matches are appropriate. This duty becomes even more crucial when dealing with new or unfamiliar clients, as red flags may appear early on, even before the client steps into the massage room.

When front-desk staff are aware of potential risks, they can take steps to minimize them, such as:

1. Screening New Clients: Asking questions that gauge a client’s reason for booking, their background, and any preferences can help detect intentions that don’t align with the clinic’s professional environment.
2. Communicating Boundaries: Clear communication about the clinic’s policies, from professionalism to behavior expectations, sets boundaries from the start.
3. Observing Behavior: Being aware of behaviors or comments that raise concerns, such as clients asking for specific providers or making inappropriate comments, can provide early warning signs of boundary-pushing behavior.

In the Pennsylvania case, it’s easy to look back and wonder if different actions could have prevented the assault. However, victim blaming won’t help us move forward. Instead, we need to equip front-desk staff and providers with the tools and support to make informed decisions that prioritize safety.

Tactics Inappropriate Employees Use: Grooming, Gaslighting, and Undermining

In some cases, the issue isn’t only with inappropriate clients but with the employees themselves. Employees who engage in manipulative behavior can disrupt the workplace and even make it unsafe for colleagues and clients. Here are some ways inappropriate employees may manipulate their environment:

1. Grooming: Some employees may build excessive trust with their employer or coworkers to exploit these relationships later. They may be overly helpful, do favors, or act as if they’re irreplaceable, building a sense of dependency. This can lead to blurred boundaries and hesitancy from the employer or coworkers to confront issues.
2. Gaslighting: Gaslighting involves making others doubt their own perceptions, feelings, or memories. An employee might downplay their inappropriate behavior or claim others are “overreacting.” This tactic can confuse employers and make them second-guess taking action, even if they feel something is wrong.
3. Undermining Authority: A manipulative employee may subtly undermine their employer or coworkers by ignoring policies, “forgetting” rules, or behaving as if they’re above certain responsibilities. This behavior can wear down authority over time and make it challenging to enforce boundaries.

When faced with a problematic employee, it’s crucial for managers to stay consistent, document behavior patterns, and have candid conversations when boundaries are crossed. Allowing small infractions to slide can embolden inappropriate employees to continue their behavior unchecked.

The Harm of Victim Blaming in Professional Settings

As we discuss these incidents, it’s natural to wonder if something could have been done differently. However, it’s essential to avoid the trap of victim blaming, which often comes from a place of wanting to rationalize a distressing situation. We may think, “Why didn’t the manager do something different?” or “How could the therapist let this happen?” But blaming individuals after the fact doesn’t make anyone safer; it only shifts responsibility away from the perpetrator.

Instead, we need to approach these situations with empathy and focus on practical ways to prevent similar incidents in the future. Acknowledge that mistakes can happen even with the best intentions, and learn from these cases to create better systems and protections for everyone in the industry.

What You Can Do to Make a Difference

If you’re in the massage therapy field—whether as a therapist, front-desk staff, or manager—you play a role in creating a safe, respectful environment. Here are some practical steps to protect both providers and clients:

1. Set Clear Policies: Ensure everyone on staff understands the clinic’s expectations for professional behavior, client interactions, and safety protocols. These should be communicated to clients as well, so they know the standards they’re expected to follow.
2. Encourage Open Communication: Make sure employees feel comfortable reporting any inappropriate behavior from clients or coworkers. Having a strong support system reduces the likelihood of issues going unaddressed.
3. Document Concerns: Whether it’s a client making inappropriate comments or an employee pushing boundaries, keeping a record of these interactions provides a basis for action if the behavior continues.
4. Stay Alert to Manipulative Tactics: Recognize signs of grooming, gaslighting, and boundary-pushing behaviors, and address them as soon as they appear. Setting boundaries early is far more effective than trying to fix a toxic situation later.
5. Report and Support: Don’t hesitate to take action against anyone who crosses professional boundaries. Reporting inappropriate behavior to authorities or industry boards can help protect others in the field.

Conclusion

Assaults in the massage therapy industry are an urgent, global problem, affecting both clients and providers. The inconsistency of regulations from one place to another adds to this complexity, creating loopholes that make it hard to maintain a safe environment across the board. By understanding the importance of front-desk staff as a safety checkpoint, recognizing manipulative tactics from employees, and rejecting victim-blaming mindsets, we can work toward creating a safer and more supportive workplace.

Let’s use these cases as a learning opportunity and strive to foster an environment where respect, boundaries, and professionalism are upheld. With vigilance, clear communication, and a commitment to supporting each other, we can make a difference in the safety and well-being of the massage therapy community.

#MassageTherapySafety #ProfessionalBoundaries #SupportProviders #SafeWorkplace #EndVictimBlaming