Professional Exploitation 
A life circumstance can arise where we find ourselves
vulnerable and dependent on someone else to help us, to guide us, to be strong for us in
our weakness. In these circumstances, society tells us to place our trust in various
professionals to assist us. We turn to a counselor, therapist, or minister to help us through a
problem or crisis. We seek help from a doctor or nurse about a serious medical
condition. If we are a victim of a crime or find ourselves thrust into a legal
situation we don't know how to deal with, we trust and need law enforcement officers and
lawyers to help us. Sometimes by choice, sometimes out of desperation, we trust
these professionals, and allow ourselves to be vulnerable. We believe the
professional will act in our best interest. Depending on the degree of our
vulnerability or dependence and our need or gratitude for their help, it is entirely possible for professionals to take advantage of us. We might even think "it could never
happen to me!" The sad truth is, it can, and does happen.
And it can take place without us even being fully aware of what's
happening.
 Mental health
professionals, psychologists, psychiatrists, counselors, therapists, doctors,
nurses, clergy,
attorneys, professors, educators, social workers, law enforcement officers, or other
professionals who either pursue or even allow a sexual relationship to develop
with their patients/clients often are taking advantage of an inherent power imbalance in the
relationship. Sexual exploitation does not always include sexual
contact -- it can happen in a variety of behaviors by the
professional. Frequently this is an exploitation of the client's trust or emotional
dependency and/or their need for the professional's help. Sometimes it is the result
of the professional imposing coercive power over the client. Either way, this
is considered abuse, even if the client was a "consenting"
participant at the time. It is an abuse of the client's trust and dependence on
the professional. It also is a betrayal of the trust imparted on the professional by
society. This form of abuse often deeply violates clients and sometimes
causes
tremendous spiritual, emotional, and psychological harm.
Exploitation of clients is universally regarded as
professionally unethical with both present and former clients, and for many of these
professions, sexual exploitation is illegal in numerous states. Of course, most
professionals are indeed ethical and would never exploit their clients, but this abuse does
happen and can't be ignored. If you have been sexually and/or
emotionally exploited by a professional,
you have found HOPE! AdvocateWeb HOPE is Helping Overcome Professional Exploitation
through its online information resources. |
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Exploitation
