Inappropriate sexual behaviour experienced by speech-language therapists.
Inappropriate sexual behaviour by clients or patients of health professionals has been noted as a considerable problem in a number of professions. Similarly, sexual harassment by colleagues or employers has been identified as causing stress and harm. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the experience of speech-language therapists in New Zealand of inappropriate sexual behaviour (ISB) by colleagues, clients, and care givers of clients. A questionnaire developed by McComas and colleagues to investigate ISB directed by patients at physical therapists in Canada was adapted to meet the broader requirements of this study. This questionnaire was sent to all members of the New Zealand Speech-Language Therapists' Association and to current third- and fourth-year students in the Bachelor of Speech and Language Therapy degree programme in 1994. The overall return rate was 70%. A large number of respondents (81%) reported experiencing some level of ISB. The number of incidents of ISB from clients and colleagues was identified with equal frequency; care givers less frequently. Fewer students than qualified therapists reported ISB as sexual harassment. ISB affects work performance (e.g. absenteeism) and causes psychological reactions (e.g. stress). A majority of respondents reported being satisfied with how they handled ISB but considered there would be value in having training for both qualified and student therapists in managing such behaviour. Conclusions drawn from the study are that colleagues as well as clients are a serious source of ISB for qualified and student speech-language therapists; that negative effects in this group are similar to those in other professions; that speech-language therapists experience less ISB from clients than some other professions; and that, despite legal steps to curb sexual harassment, it continues to be an issue that requires local administrative and educative attention.
Williams
T H
TH
Christchurch College of Education, New Zealand.
de Seriere
J
J
Boddington
L
L
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009520:New Zealand; D017406:Sexual Harassment / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013066:Speech-Language Pathology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data