RMT Sexual Violence Resource Centre

RMT Sexual Violence Resource Centre

Protecting the safety and well-being of our members is a priority for the RMTAO. Our recent survey confirmed that sexual harassment and assault from patients is a significant challenge facing the profession, and that many RMTs feel under-equipped to handle these situations

Some key survey results include:

  • 73% reporting experiencing sexual harassment.
  • 21% of respondents reported experiencing sexual assault.
  • 69% reported never receiving training on how to handle sexual assault or harassment.

The RMTAO has also created tools to help you assess and respond to ambiguous or inappropriate patient behaviour, and establish clear boundaries before treatment. We also offered a 90-minute webinar hosted by Josie Delorme. This session provided a practical, evidence-informed framework to help RMTs recognize and navigate situations where therapeutic intent becomes unclear or is perceived as sexualized by patients. A recording of this webinar is located below.

While not every situation can be anticipated, we are focused on equipping you with tools to set clear expectations, establish boundaries, and respond confidently to inappropriate behaviour. 

If you have questions or concerns, please contact the RMTAO at info@rmtao.com. 

RMT Sexual Violence Resource Centre

Navigating Ambiguity: Sexual Boundary Management for RMTs

This webinar, hosted by Josie Delorme, is delivered through an inclusive, intersectional lens, this session explores the historical context of sexual boundary challenges in massage therapy education and introduces modern approaches to establishing and maintaining clear, professional boundaries in clinical practice.

Click here to watch the webinar

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Patient Behaviour Decision Tree

 This resource helps you evaluate whether patient behaviour is inappropriate, and provides advice on how to react in the moment when a patient is behaving inappropriately. 

Download the Resource 

Zero Tolerance Policy Poster

You can use this poster in your practice to make it clear that you will not tolerate agressive, threatening or sexually inappropriate behaviour. Download the Canva template to customize this poster with your logo. 

Download the Canva template to customize with your logo 

Intake Form - Patient Code of Conduct 

Add this form to your intake process to ensure your patients understand that you will not tolerate abusive behaviour in any form and that you are committed to providing a safe, healthy, secure, and respectful environment for all staff, patients and visitors.

Download the Intake Form  - Patient Code of Conduct

Sexual Violence Resources in Ontario

Assaulted Women’s Help Line
A free, anonymous and confidential 24-hour telephone and TTY crisis telephone line to all women in the province of Ontario who have experienced any form of abuse. Deaf and hard of hearing services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
GTA: 416-863-0511
Toll-free: 1-866-863-0511
Toll-free TTY: 1-866-863-7868
#SAFE (#7233) - On Fido, Rogers, Bell and Telus networks
Website: https://www.awhl.org/home

Fem'aide 
Fem'aide offers French-speaking women experiencing gender-based violence support, information, and referrals to appropriate services in their community, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 
Phone: 1-877-336-2433
SMS: 1-877-336-2433
Online chat: femaide.ca/clavardage
Website: https://femaide.ca/ 

Ontario Coalition of Rape Crisis Centres 
Provides a directory of Sexual Assault Centres across Ontario.
Website: https://sexualassaultsupport.ca/get-help/ 

Ontario Network of Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centres
76 Grenville Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 1B2
Phone: 416-323-7327
Email: info@sadvtreatmentcentres.ca
Website: https://www.sadvtreatmentcentres.ca/ 

Trans Lifeline 
A peer support and crisis hotline run by Trans people for the Trans, Nonbinary, Agender, and Questioning community. 
Phone: 1-877-330-6366

Talk4Healing
A free and culturally safe telephone helpline, text or chat for Indigenous women living in Ontario -
Toll Free: 1-855-554- 4325  
Website: https://translifeline.org/

Support Services for Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse 
Provides access to specialized services for male survivors of sexual abuse. The toll-free number provides 24 hour support in many languages for crisis and referral services.
Toll Free: 1-866-887-0015

Victim Support Line (Ontario Victim Services)
Ontario Toll-free: 1-888-579-2888
Greater Toronto Area (GTA): 416-314-2447