Trusting Hands: The Hidden Dangers of Massage Therapy

Massage therapy is often seen as a relaxing and safe way to unwind, but it can also be a place where sexual misconduct happens. Many victims do not report these incidents because they feel ashamed or afraid they won't be believed. This is a big problem because it lets the people who do these bad things get away with it.

A Victim's Story

One person, who we will call Heather, shared her story. She had been going for massages for years to help with her lymphedema, a condition that causes swelling. She usually went to a place where different therapists worked, and she never thought anything bad would happen. But one day, a man she didn't know started touching her in a way that made her uncomfortable. He grabbed her in places he shouldn't have, and when she tried to stop him, he pushed her down and told her she was okay. She felt shocked and ashamed.

Heather eventually told her husband and filed a police report. She also got a lawyer to help her. Her lawyer, Jill Kanatzar, said that cases like Heather's have been happening more often in the last few years. Many of these cases involve unlicensed therapists, who are easier to hide and harder to track.

The Problem with Licensing

In the United States, most states require massage therapists to be licensed, but not California and Vermont. Even in states where licenses are required, there aren't many consequences for working without one. The business that hires the unlicensed therapist is the one that gets in trouble, not the therapist themselves. This makes it easier for bad therapists to keep doing harm.

Heather's case was settled out of court, but another woman came forward and said she had been assaulted at the same place. The business was shut down nine months after Heather's complaint, but the man who hurt her was never found. Heather is angry and wants the business and the owner to be held accountable. She thinks laws need to change to make sure this doesn't happen to anyone else.

Fighting for Change

Some people, like Michigan state Rep. Julie Rogers, are working on new laws to prevent abuse. They want to make sure that businesses are responsible for reporting misconduct and that there are consequences for not doing so. But these changes take time, and in the meantime, victims are still suffering in silence.

Staying Safe

If you are planning to go for a massage, it is important to check if the therapist is licensed and if the business is reputable. If something feels wrong during a massage, you have the right to speak up and leave. You can also report any misconduct to state licensing boards, health departments, or the police.