Counselor Arrested for Sexually Abusing Child

Counselors are meant to help those who are struggling with mental health issues. Their clients are often vulnerable children or adults struggling with mental illness counselors should never abuse their position of trust to take advantage of those they are supposed to help.

Sadly, however, sometimes they do – causing irreparable harm.  Earlier this year, a child informed police that they were abused by a counselor who worked with the state’s Department of Mental Health. The man is now facing multiple criminal charges, including first-degree assault and battery, third-degree criminal solicitation, criminal sexual conduct with a minor, and unlawful conduct toward a child.  Like all criminal defendants, he is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The counselor  was arrested following an investigation that began in April. The man worked at a school in Greenville County but is currently suspended from his position while the incident is under investigation.   While the alleged abuse did not happen at the school,   once the school district was made aware of the investigation by law enforcement, the counselor was no longer allowed access to students, district employees, or school property. The district has also communicated about the incident to parents at the school where the man was working as a mental health counselor.

Sexual Abuse by Therapists

Sexual abuse by therapists and other adults in positions of trust is a serious issue that requires immediate action once discovered. Oftentimes, therapists and other professionals abuse the power they have over their clients and take advantage of having unsupervised access to vulnerable individuals, including children and adults suffering from emotional distress or mental illness.

Contact Us Today

Counselors are in a position of trust. Clients expect to get professional help from counselors and therapists, not experience abuse and the loss of trust.

Have you or a loved one been a victim of sexual abuse? If so, contact a Columbia sexual abuse and trauma victim lawyer from Simmons Law Firm. We help sexual abuse victims seek damages and hold accountable those who had a responsibility to provide a safe environment yet failed to do so. To schedule a consultation with our office, fill out the online form or call (803) 779-4600.

Source:

foxcarolina.com/2024/05/24/counselor-who-worked-upstate-school-accused-sexual-abuse/