[Sexual abuse in psychotherapy. Possibilities of epidemiologic quantification]

Research on the sexual abuse of patients by their therapists is confined to a number of empirical studies. Two different methods have been applied: (1) investigating therapists who confirmed having had sexual contact with their patients and (2) investigating therapists who treated patients who experienced sexual abuse in previous therapies. Until now there has been a serious lack of statistical data concerning victimization. The present study combines the results of the studies published and gives the best minimal estimate of the incidence: 5-24 new cases of abused female patients per 1000 therapists annually.