Inappropriate sexual behaviour experienced by speech-language therapists

Inappropriate sexual behaviour by clients or patients of health professiona ls has been noted as a considerable problem in a number of professions. Sim ilarly, sexual harassment by colleagues or employers has been identified as causing stress and harm. The primary objective of this study was to invest igate the experience of speech-language therapists in New Zealand of inappr opriate sexual behaviour (ISB) by colleagues, clients, and care givers of c lients. A questionnaire developed by McComas and colleagues to investigate ISB directed by patients at physical therapists in Canada was adapted to me et the broader requirements of this study. This questionnaire was sent to a ll members of the New Zealand Speech-Language Therapists' Association and t o current third- and fourth-year students in the Bachelor of Speech and Lan guage 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 w ith equal frequency; care givers less frequently. Fewer students than quali fied therapists reported ISB as sexual harassment. ISB affects work perform ance (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 t he study are that colleagues as well as clients are a serious source of ISB for qualified and student speech-language therapists; that negative effect s in this group are similar to those in other professions; that speech-lang uage therapists experience less ISB from clients than some other profession s; and that, despite legal steps to curb sexual harassment, it continues to be an issue that requires local administrative and educative attention.