Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1496639
The latest statistics show that 1 in 6 women and 1 in 33 men are sexually assaulted in the US every year. That translates to someone being assaulted every 68 seconds, or over 450,000 sexual assaults each year, according to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN.org). 1 Sexual misconduct affects every profession, from politics and business to entertainment and health care. Based on my research and 20 years of experience as an expert witness, it's easy to estimate that there are at least a thousand cases of sexual assault every year in the massage and bodywork profession. Most, though by no means all, are cases of male massage therapists assaulting female clients. In addition, almost all female massage therapists, as well as some males, have stories of a client who was sexually inappropriate with them. It ranges from sexual comments and requests to harassment and attempts to touch the therapist's body. An innovative approach to address this serious issue is the Attention Button, a technology produced by BEC Integrated Solutions. This is a silent call button placed under the massage table that is easily accessible to both the client and the therapist should they need immediate help. It can be used any time if either feels uncomfortable or unsafe, or if there is an emergency requiring immediate assistance from the front desk. One franchiser has taken up the charge to use these buttons in all its locations. 48 m a s s a g e & b o d y wo r k m ay/ j u n e 2 0 2 3 The Attention Button A deterrent for sexual misconduct in the treatment room By Dr. Ben Benjamin MILLES STUDIO/STOCKSY.COM