CMTO held its second Prevention of Sexual Abuse Seminar on November 15, 2024. At the event educators and instructors from private and public Massage Therapy programs across Ontario shared their perspectives and exchanged ideas on how to prevent the sexual abuse of clients in Massage Therapy by Registered Massage Therapists/Massage Therapists (RMT/MT).

The day began with a presentation on gender-based violence (GBV) from Jessica Pratezina and Premila Chellapermal from WomanACT, a charitable organization working towards eradicating GBV through research, education and advocacy.

Following the presentation, a panel of healthcare professionals discussed how their respective professional schools teach sexual abuse prevention. Topics included how to stress the importance of ethics and professionalism early in a student’s career, and the best way to establish and practise healthy boundaries with clients. This provided attendees valuable insights which may help enhance sexual abuse prevention education in their Massage Therapy programs. The panellists were:

• Irene Cohen: a retired MD and family physician, former investigator for the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario.
• Pam Fitch, M. Ad. Ed., RMT/MT: a former RMT/MT educator at Algonquin College.
• Brenda Mori, BScPT, MSc, PhD: Physical Therapy Professor, Director of Clinical Education & Community Affairs at the University of Toronto.

In the afternoon, attendees worked on case studies based on real cases before CMTO’s Discipline Committee and participated in facilitated discussions. Topics included:

• Examining the power dynamics that exist between clients and RMTs/MTs due to the knowledge, authority and influence RMTs/MTs hold over their clients during treatment in a clinical setting;
• Identifying and addressing gaps in sexual abuse prevention in education;
• Recognize signs of sexual abuse and the significance of trauma-informed care; and
• Exploring solutions for preventing sexual abuse of Massage Therapy early in an RMT/MT’s academic and professional career.

CMTO would like to thank all the participants and presenters for their contributions in making this seminar a success and a valuable learning experience.

Over the coming months, CMTO will develop a plan to further CMTO’s work on the prevention of sexual abuse by:

• Hosting a Prevention of Sexual Abuse Seminar in 2025;
• Increasing engagement with educational programs about sexual abuse, professionalism, ethics, reporting, and boundaries; and
• Raising awareness of CMTO’s role in sexual abuse prevention to the public, educators, RMTs, and students.

If you have questions about professionalism or preventing sexual abuse, please contact CMTO’s Practice Specialist at practicespecialist@cmto.com.