Ethics: Sexual Boundary Violations - Victims, Perpetrators and Risk Reduction

Course overview

Course Description: This course examines sexual boundary violations by healthcare and mental health professionals, with a focus on the categories of violations, the harm experienced by victims, the characteristics of perpetrators, and evidence-based approaches to assessment and risk reduction. This course explores why sexual boundary violations occur, how they progress, and what factors affect whether a perpetrator can be safely rehabilitated. The course also addresses the assessment and treatment of victims, including the barriers patients face in finding appropriate support after professional abuse. This course is appropriate for intermediate, and advanced-level practitioners across the behavioral health professions. It is particularly relevant for clinicians seeking continuing education in professional ethics, risk management, and the clinical and legal dimensions of professional misconduct. Authors: Hook, J. & Devereux, D. Learning Objectives: Upon completion of this course, the practitioner will: 1. Identify the categories of sexual boundary violations, describe the harmful effects on victims, and describe why sexual boundary violations are not consensual or mutual relationships. 2. Describe the perpetrator typologies from the literature, risk factors and remediability and how they can be used in assessment and treatment. 3. Apply principles of appropriate assessment and treatment to the care of patients who have experienced sexual boundary violations. Citation: Hook, J., & Devereux, D. (2018). Sexual boundary violations: victims, perpetrators and risk reduction. BJPsych Advances, 24(6), 374-383. https://doi.org/10.1192/bja.2018.27