Meehan “Duty to Report” Bill Protects Victims of Sexual Assault

Congressman Patrick Meehan (R-Pa.) Thursday introduced the Duty to Report Sexual Assault Act of 2016. The legislation, co-sponsored by Rep. Katherine Clark (D-Ma.) requires owners and employees of massage establishments to report allegations of sexual assault to law enforcement.

The legislation was crafted in consultation with a victim of a massage therapist who sexually assaulted multiple women at a massage parlor in Chester County, Pa.

“When the victim of a sexual assault at the hands of a massage therapist in Chester County contacted my office, I met with her and heard her experience” said Congressman Meehan. “Her story was tragic and infuriating. Her assault came even after another woman had complained, months before, of an assault by the same employee. But instead of fully investigating or reporting the alleged offender, his employer gave him a short suspension and just days later he was back on the job.”

“Often, abusers become repeat offenders, assaulting multiple women while working at the same massage facility. But in some cases, massage facility owners are reluctant to report allegations of misconduct among their employees. Some just don’t know what to do or how to respond. Others may fear the negative publicity that would accompany an investigation by law enforcement. Reporting alleged assault will help victims understand their rights, like pursuing an investigation and pressing charges, and the resources available, such as local sexual assault programs,” Meehan said.

“Claims of sexual abuse should be taken seriously,” Meehan continued. “They should be investigated and pursued in accordance with the victim’s wishes. Requiring massage establishments to report these claims to law enforcement will help ensure victims get the justice and help they deserve – and help prevent future assaults on more innocent victims.”

“The sickening truths is, American women have a 1 in 4 chance of being sexually assaulted in their lifetimes,” said Rep. Katherine Clark (D-Ma.) “When sexual violence persists at such a daunting scale, we all bear the weight and responsibility of it as a national injustice. The Duty to Report Sexual Assault Act is a small, but important step to ensure businesses and our criminal justice system are working in tandem to report and prevent sexual assault.”

In the last several months alone, for example, massage therapists in Oregon, Connecticut, Florida, Colorado, Michigan and other states have been accused or convicted of sexual misconduct.

The Duty to Report Sexual Assault Act of 2016 has been endorsed by the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape and the Crime Victims’ Bar Association.

“Massage is a personal service that requires the utmost trust and professional conduct between the provider and client,” said Delilah Rumberg, the CEO of the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape. “It is provided behind closed doors, and requires some level of disrobing and personal touch – by its very nature, this is a situation that could easily be exploited by someone with ill intent. This law offers protection to consumers and to the many professional practitioners of massage by mandating that bad actors and abusive actions are reported.”

The full text of the Duty to Report Sexual Assault Act of 2016 is available here.