A resource for individuals who have experienced sexual abuse by a College member
The mandate of the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (the College) is to protect the public interest. Everything the College does comes down to protecting the public from unqualified, incompetent and unfit practitioners.
“Individuals seeking the services of social workers and social service workers are often at a vulnerable point in their lives and deserve to know they’re protected,” explains Richelle Samuel, Director of Complaints and Discipline. “The College has a duty to consider and investigate reports and complaints regarding alleged misconduct or incompetence of College members.”
This includes allegations of sexual abuse between a client and a College member, which is why the College has developed a resource- the Support Person Program, to provide support to individuals who report sexual abuse by College members.
Sexual abuse
As regulated professionals, College members are required to maintain professional boundaries at all times. Sexual contact between College members and clients undermines the public’s trust in the professions and is strictly forbidden.
Any form of sexual abuse between a client and a College member is an extremely serious form of professional misconduct that can result in penalties up to and including revocation of a member’s certificate of registration with the College.
Support Person Program
The Support Person Program was approved by College Council and implemented in 2019 in order to provide individuals with arm’s length support in circumstances where allegations of sexual abuse and/or boundary violations of a sexual nature by a social worker or social service worker have been or may be alleged.
“All allegations of reported sexual abuse must be investigated, and may also lead to disciplinary proceedings that can be stressful and anxiety-producing for the individuals who have reported the abuse,” notes Samuel. “The process can often be lengthy, which is why the Program offers support from the point of first contact right through to the disciplinary process.”
The College has retained the services of Dr. Ruth Gallop, a regulated health professional, to provide arm’s-length and confidential support to persons who have experienced sexual abuse by College members. Dr. Gallop is not only extremely knowledgeable about the impact of sexual abuse but also familiar with the College’s investigations and discipline processes.
“In developing this Program, it was vital to ensure that the support person not be a social worker or social service worker; nor is the support person an employee of the College,” explains Samuel.
While the Support Person Program does not provide traditional counselling, it does provide a supportive framework to assist and to support these individuals as they consider, engage in, and move through the College’s investigations and discipline processes. There is also no cost for this service.
For more information on the Support Person Program, visit the College website.