ABSTRACT
This chapter considers abuse by professionals, that is, perpetrators who are not friends or family nor strangers, but people that act in a professional capacity and through that profession come into contact with their victims. Abuse by professionals can range in type and pathology equivalent to any other group of offenders. However, as representatives of a profession, the effects of broken trust and betrayal can be amplifi ed to include the whole of that profession, for failing to prevent the abuse and frequently for failing to respond appropriately to allegations. Abuse by professionals harms the social fabric and the uneven distribution of power allocated to professions, in particular their capacity to cover up misconduct, and can lead to a severe undoing of the social contract. The term ‘abuse’ is used here with wide interpretation, to include exploitation, coercion and harassment, as well as violence and neglect. Various defi nitions are relevant and in particular the following excerpts are useful for understanding how abuse is currently conceptualised in research and commentary:
Also called ‘sexual coercion’ sexual exploitation is best defi ned in the context of a violation of professional ethics. It occurs when a person in power takes advantage of the dependence and vulnerability of a ‘client’ who is placed in or voluntarily adopts a position where personal control and power are limited in order that the ‘client’ may benefi t from the expertise of the person in power. It is always the responsibility of the person in power to avoid sexual behavior in these relationships because: (a) it is a violation of role expectations; (b) it is a misuse of authority and power; (c) it takes advantage of vulnerability and dependence; and (d) meaningful consent is impossible, since consent to sexual activity can only occur in an atmosphere of mutuality and equality.
