Massage Therapy Sexual Abuse & Assault Lawyer

If a massage therapist sexually assaulted you or touched you inappropriately, you can file a civil lawsuit against the therapist and often the spa or franchise that employed them. This is separate from any criminal case, and you can file even if you never made a police report.

A massage sexual abuse lawyer can explain your options in a free, confidential consultation. Talk to Shrader & Associates today at 866-262-8170.

What Counts as Sexual Abuse During a Massage?

A massage therapist must engage in physical contact and is placed in a position of trust. A professional massage should never involve sexual contact, coercion, or non-consensual touching. A licensed therapist must obtain informed consent, explain their techniques, and maintain proper draping before placing their hands near sensitive areas.

Inappropriate Touching vs. Legitimate Massage Technique

While not every uncomfortable massage counts as abuse, inappropriate touching is never acceptable during a professional massage session. Examples of misconduct may include:

• Touching intimate areas without therapeutic justification
• Ignoring your verbal or physical objections
• Removing draping unnecessarily
• Making sexual comments or propositions
• Attempting or forcing sexual contact during a massage

If you experienced any of the above, or believe that a line was crossed, you are not overreacting. Professional standards exist to protect you from this type of misconduct.

Common Forms of Massage Misconduct

Survivors have reported being molested during massages in many different types of establishments, from luxury spas to independent wellness clinics to hotels and national franchises. Abuse can range from inappropriate touching to forced sexual massage and other forms of spa sexual assault, including:

• Encouraging you to remove more clothing than necessary
• Staying in the room while you dress or undress
• Using poor draping techniques that leave you exposed
• Offering to move the session to another place outside of the facility
• Anything that makes you feel uncomfortable for any reason

What to Do If a Massage Therapist Touches You Inappropriately

Many survivors are left thinking, “I was sexually abused at a spa; what do I do now?” The hours following an assault can be overwhelming, but you’re not alone. Taking a few practical steps can help your emotional well-being and protect your legal rights.

In the Moment: Ending the Session and Staying Safe

If you feel unsafe during a massage:

1. Tell the therapist to stop immediately.
2. End the session, get dressed, and leave as soon as possible.
3. Go to a safe place and contact someone you trust.
4. Seek medical attention or emotional support if needed.

Your safety always comes first. You are never required to continue a massage just because it’s already in progress or you paid in advance.

Reporting to the Spa, Police, and the Licensing Board

Once you are in a safe space, you may choose to report the incident. Your reporting options may include one or all of the following:

• The spa or massage franchise
• Local law enforcement
• Your state’s massage therapy licensing board
• A civil attorney experienced in massage sexual abuse cases

These processes are separate. You can ask a massage sexual abuse lawyer to proceed with a civil claim, even if no police report has been filed. For more information, read our resources for survivors or visit the RAINN national network’s website.

Recent Massage Sexual Assault Cases in the News

If you have experienced massage therapist assault, you are not alone. There have been several high-profile massage sexual assault cases within the industry, demonstrating that this type of assault is not limited to isolated incidents.

The Massage Envy Claims

The Massage Envy franchise has faced widespread allegations from more than 180 women in locations across the United States who reported being sexually assaulted during their massage appointments.

Lawsuits alleged failures including negligent hiring, inadequate background checks, ignoring prior complaints, and allowing therapists to continue working despite reports of misconduct against them.

What These Cases Show About Accountability

These cases show that accountability can extend beyond the individual, and that businesses that fail to protect their customers can also be held accountable through civil litigation. Survivors of spa sexual assault or massage parlor sexual abuse who feel daunted by large franchises should know that justice can be achieved.

Who Can Be Held Liable — The Therapist and the Spa

One of the most common questions survivors ask is: “Is the spa liable if a therapist assaulted me?” In many cases, the answer is yes.

Employer Liability: Negligent Hiring, Screening, and Supervision

A spa or wellness business has a legal duty to exercise reasonable care when hiring and supervising its employees. Businesses may be liable if they:

• Fail to perform adequate background screening
• Ignore previous complaints against a therapist
• Fail to investigate reports of misconduct
• Retain an employee despite known safety concerns
• Lack reasonable policies to protect their customers

A civil claim may be strengthened if evidence exists that a business ignored previous complaints against one or more of its employees.

Franchises and Independent Spas

A massage sexual abuse lawyer can investigate independent spas or national franchises for factors such as ownership, employment relationships, insurance coverage, and whether unsafe conditions resulted from inadequate corporate policies.

Taking Legal Action: Filing a Civil Claim

Survivors often assume they cannot pursue a claim without first filing criminal charges. In fact, civil and criminal cases are completely separate in a massage sexual assault case.

Civil vs. Criminal: The “More Likely Than Not” Standard

Criminal cases must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Civil cases use a lower standard known as the preponderance of the evidence, meaning it is more likely than not that the abuse occurred. Survivors may therefore pursue accountability even when criminal prosecution is not available.

You Don’t Need a Police Report or Physical Evidence

A police report is not required to file a civil massage abuse lawsuit. A massage sexual abuse lawyer often relies on a combination of survivor testimony, appointment records, text messages, surveillance footage, and employee schedules in successful massage assault claims.

You can learn more about what may support a massage sexual assault claim in our evidence in sexual abuse lawsuits and sexual abuse lawsuit timeline resources.

Compensation Available to Survivors

While a civil lawsuit cannot undo the harm caused by massage assault, it can compensate survivors for the physical, emotional, and financial damage they have suffered. Potential compensation may include:

• Medical expenses — emergency care, examinations, and treatment.
• Therapy and counseling — including ongoing psychological recovery.
• Lost income — missed work and reduced earning capacity.
• Pain and suffering — such as emotional distress and trauma.
• Punitive damages — especially in cases involving egregious misconduct.

An experienced massage sexual abuse lawyer will explain your options and evaluate which damages may apply to your particular case.

What to Do After a Massage Assault

If you have experienced sexual assault during massage therapy, try to follow these important steps:

1. Get to safety and seek medical care if needed: Your health comes first, and medical records can document the incident.
2. Write down what happened as soon as you can: Notes made at the time preserve details for a claim.
3. Report to the spa or franchise in writing and keep a copy: This creates a paper trail and may reveal prior complaints.
4. File a police report and a complaint with the state licensing board: Optional for a civil claim, but it strengthens accountability.
5. Talk to a massage sexual abuse lawyer: A free consultation helps preserve evidence and protect filing deadlines.

How to Protect Yourself During a Massage

While it’s impossible to predict or prevent all instances of sexual misconduct, there are steps you can take to help protect yourself during a massage session:

• Research the massage facility: Choose a reputable location with good reviews.
• Request a recommended therapist: If possible, ask for a recommended therapist by name when you schedule your appointment.
• Consider bringing a friend: Having someone else in the room can provide additional security.
• Communicate with the therapist before the session: A trustworthy massage therapist will make sure you know what to expect.
• Set boundaries: Before the session begins, clearly state any areas you want the therapist to avoid.
• Stay comfortable: Only remove as much clothing as you feel comfortable with.
• Speak up if something feels wrong: Ask the therapist to stop at any time and reset the boundaries.
• Leave if necessary: It’s perfectly acceptable to end the session and leave at any time.

Inappropriate behavior by a massage therapist is never your fault. You should never blame yourself or feel responsible for their actions.

Massage Sexual Abuse FAQs

Can you sue a massage therapist for sexual assault?

Yes. You can file a civil lawsuit against a massage therapist for sexual assault, regardless of whether criminal charges are filed.

Can I sue Massage Envy or the spa for a therapist’s assault?

Potentially. A spa or franchise may be held accountable if it can be proven that it failed to properly hire, screen, supervise, or discipline the therapist.

What should I do if a massage therapist touched me inappropriately?

End the session immediately, go somewhere safe, document what happened, preserve receipts and appointment records, and consider reporting the incident.

Do I need a police report to file a civil massage abuse claim?

No. A police report is not required. Many survivors begin with a confidential legal consultation before deciding whether to involve law enforcement.

How long do I have to file a massage sexual abuse lawsuit?

Statutes of limitations vary depending on the state where the abuse occurred, and some states have expanded filing windows for survivors. For more information, read our resource on sexual abuse laws in the U.S.

Is it ever normal for a massage therapist to touch private areas?

Massage therapy should never involve unnecessary or non-consensual touching of private areas, and a licensed therapist should always discuss sensitive procedures beforehand.

You Don’t Have to Face This Alone

Survivors may feel isolated, embarrassed, and unsure whether they have legal options after experiencing massage sexual abuse, sexual abuse in a spa, or any form of massage assault. What happened was not your fault, and you don’t have to navigate this alone.

Shrader & Associates’ sexual abuse lawyers are experienced in massage assault cases. We will help you pursue accountability against both individual perpetrators and negligent businesses, with compassionate, confidential representation.

Call a Shrader & Associates massage sexual abuse lawyer today for a free, confidential consultation at 866-262-8170.