Utah takes stand against sexual misconduct in licensed professions
The Utah Division of Professional Licensing (DOPL) has formed a task force to tackle the rise of sexual misconduct complaints against professional license holders.
“The misuse of a professional license to perpetrate sexual misconduct is not just a grave violation of individual trust; it is a profound betrayal of the public’s confidence in our professions,” Margaret Busse, executive director of the Utah Department of Commerce, said in a release. “These heinous acts inflict profound harm to victims and damage the reputations of entire industries. This task force is our unequivocal declaration: Utah will hold licensed professionals accountable to protect our communities and the integrity of state-regulated industries.”
The task force will focus on professions that have historically received the highest percentage of sexual misconduct complaints: health care, mental health and massage therapy. To ensure a survivor-centered approach, the group comprises stakeholders from various sectors, including victim advocacy, law enforcement and professional associations.
“As regulators, it is our fundamental duty to protect the public from bad actors who violate the trust built into their professional roles,” Jana Johansen, task force chair and DOPL assistant director, said in a department release.
The task force will review current laws and procedures to pinpoint gaps and ensure a survivor-centered approach. Several of the task force’s goals include:
- Development of a “Unified Inter-Agency Protocol” that standardizes the process for sharing and cross-referencing reports among state agencies.
- Creation of a “Survivor Resource Map,” a digital, sequential resource to help survivors navigate available criminal, civil and administrative options.
- Implementation of public awareness initiatives, such as mandatory training for licensed professionals and state agencies.
- Compilation of a list of recommended statutory changes.
DOPL will share resources and tools that result from the task force on its News & Resources page and announce changes that directly impact licensed professions to licensees via email.