Sexual assault has genuine consequences for victims, impacting their physical, mental, and emotional health. Additionally, victims of sexual assault often find themselves with unexpected medical expenses. They may be unable to work, impacting their financial situation.
Holding perpetrators of sexual assault accountable for their crimes through the civil and criminal court system helps prevent them from continuing to harm others. It also allows victims to get the financial compensation they need to recover.
Beginning legal proceedings following a sexual assault can feel impossible, but victims don’t have to fight alone. Working with a Minnesota sexual assault victims’ attorney can ease the burden placed on victims, allowing them to focus on recovery while their lawyer focuses on getting them justice and compensation.
The expert spa massage sexual abuse lawyers at Florin|Roebig have decades of combined experience prosecuting complex massage sexual assault cases. All Florin|Roebig lawyers offer free consultations and are eager to help you get the justice and compensation you deserve.
How to Know If Your Massage Involved Sexual Assault
A massage is an intimate act that requires trust between the masseuse and the client. Unfortunately, predators abuse that trust, taking advantage of vulnerable clients in moments when they should be able to relax.
Because massages require privacy and involve a certain amount of intimate touch, many predators will gaslight their victims or attempt to make them doubt their experiences. This can make identifying massage sexual abuse difficult, but victims should trust their memories and judgment.
If you remain unsure, some key indicators can help you differentiate between an accidental touch and massage therapy misconduct in Minnesota.
Signs of massage sexual assault:
- Inappropriate touch during massage: Massage requires physical contact between the masseuse and their client, often close to intimate areas. However, your masseuse should not need to touch intimate areas, like breasts or genitals, directly. If accidental contact occurs, a responsible professional will immediately check in with the client, offer a prompt apology, and not repeat the touch, and many will self-report the incident to management at the facility.
- Coercion: Your masseuse should never attempt to convince or coerce you into a type of contact you are uncomfortable with. If you ask them to stop or express discomfort with a touch, they should follow your instructions immediately. If they insist or ignore you, proceeding with the action against your will, you may have grounds for an assault charge.
- Verbal harassment: As a client, you have the right to be spoken to professionally. You should never be exposed to sexual, foul, or otherwise inappropriate language during a massage. Additionally, comments about your appearance, inappropriate questions, or comments on sexual preferences or desires can also be considered harassing behavior.
Florin|Roebig attorney Taylor D. Roebig says, “Experienced predators often take advantage of the intimate nature of massage to commit their crimes. Abusers and the irresponsible employers that protect them will work hard to make you doubt your own experiences. If you believe you have experienced sexual assault in a massage setting, reach out to Florin|Roebig for a free case review, and let our expert sexual assault lawyers help you get justice.”
4 Steps to Take After The Massage Session
Sexual assault is a devastating trauma that can put victims in a state of flight, fight, or freeze. In a trauma state, it can be challenging to make decisions or take action, which can make it hard for victims to report massage abuse.
If you have experienced massage sexual assault and you find it difficult or impossible to manage the steps below, know that you are not at fault and you are not alone. Sexual assault is a terrifying and isolating experience. If you can, reach out to a trusted friend or family member who can help you access legal help after sexual assault.
How to take steps after massage sexual assault:
- Report the assault to management at the facility and the local authorities as soon as possible. Even if some time has passed, the sooner you report the incident, the better.
- Document all incident details, including the date, time, and the names of potential witnesses. If possible, make a record of any communication that occurs between you and the facility. In Minnesota, sexual assault documentation is crucial for building a solid case later.
- Seek physical and mental healthcare if needed. Having a medical record following an assault can help create a paper trail that shows the physical and psychological trauma caused by assault.
- Consult with a qualified Minnesota sexual assault lawyer. Experienced legal guidance can make all the difference when prosecuting sensitive and complex sexual assault cases.
Can I Sue for Sexual Assault During a Massage in Minnesota?
Yes, victims can sue for massage sexual assault in Minnesota. There are two types of Minnesota sexual assault lawsuits: civil and criminal. Often, sexual assault cases will be tried in both the civil courts and the criminal courts simultaneously or consecutively.
Criminal trials—which place a high burden of proof on the victim—help to hold the perpetrator accountable for their crimes. However, to receive compensation for massage abuse, victims must also bring a civil suit against their abuser. Civil suits have a lower burden of proof. Failure to convict the perpetrator in a criminal trial does not necessarily mean a civil case will fail.
The legal rights of Minnesota sexual assault victims allow them to receive compensation in the form of monetary damages. These damages can be compensatory, awarded to help the victim recover from loss or harm, or punitive, awarded to punish the perpetrator.
Working with an experienced sexual assault lawyer can significantly increase the likelihood that your case will end in compensation. Sexual assault cases can be challenging to prosecute, especially if significant time has passed. Working with a compassionate sexual assault specialist like the ones at Florin|Roebig helps victims get the compensation they need to recover.
Common Places Where Massage Assaults Occur
Minnesota spa sexual abuse can happen anywhere. Frequently, assault happens in places where victims are in a heightened state of vulnerability, removed from their usual support systems.
Common massage assault locations and settings include:
- Chiropractic centers
- Cruise ships
- Holistic medicine centers
- Home massage services
- Hotels/resorts
- Massage therapy centers
- Spas
- Wellness retreats
Sexual assault is never the fault of the victim, and it is not your responsibility to be constantly on the defensive, especially in situations where you should be able to relax, like vacations or in the presence of a medical practitioner. However, there are some easy ways to keep yourself a little safer.
Perpetrators of massage therapy center abuse and home massage sexual abuse rely on silence, privacy, and fear to commit their crimes. If you plan to receive massage services, research the facility first and do not go alone. Don’t be afraid to end the massage and leave as soon as you feel uncomfortable.
Florin|Roebig attorney Taylor D. Roebig says, “In the wake of an assault, many victims agonize over what they could have done to prevent it. While this response is normal, it’s important to remember that all fault for your assault rests with the abuser and the systems that protect them. No amount of preparation can completely prevent sexual assault. Reach out for a free consultation today, and let the team at Florin|Roebig help you get the justice and compensation you deserve.”
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Minnesota Massage Sex Assault Lawsuit Examples
Minnesota is one of only four states that does not require statewide licensing for massage therapists. All regulation is done at the local level, leaving plenty of room for habitual abusers to fall through the cracks. These gaps in regulation mean that Minnesota massage sexual assault cases are tragically common.
Recent sexual assault cases and sexual assault case results in Minnesota:
- The owner of the Land of Pharaoh massage parlor in Stillwater is facing five counts of criminal sexual conduct for inappropriate touch during massages. He could face 15 years in prison and over $50,000 in fines if convicted.
- Andrew Yang, who assaulted a woman during a massage in 2022 while working at a massage parlor in Stillwater, is facing up to $30,000 in fines and a 15-year prison sentence.
- A masseuse working at the Men’s Spa Salon in Minneapolis has admitted to assaulting more than 50 men over several years. Police are currently investigating to locate all potential victims.
Minnesota spa sexual abuse cases have a broad range of victims, many of whom struggle to come forward. Male victims of sexual assault often face additional challenges legally and socially following an assault.
Working with an experienced and compassionate sexual assault lawyer makes a huge difference when trying complex cases. A good lawyer helps clients track down and preserve evidence, gather witness statements, and locate all responsible parties, reducing client stress and allowing them to focus on recovery.
Expert massage sexual assault lawyers like the ones at Florin|Roebig are used to working with a wide variety of clients, offering guidance and support no matter their circumstances. We aim to build the most robust case possible to hold perpetrators accountable and get you the compensation you need to recover.
Understanding Liability in Sexual Assault Cases
When it comes to massage therapist abuse, responsibility rests primarily on the abuser. However, if the perpetrator works for a massage parlor or massage franchise, liability in Minnesota sexual assault cases may allow victims to hold the business owner or the franchise partially responsible for the assault.
If a victim can prove that the business owners or franchise knew or should have known that the abuser presented a danger, they may be able to make a case for spa owner negligence in Minnesota.
A lawyer with spa and massage sexual assault case experience can help track down the kind of evidence you need to prove negligence, including a history of assault on the abuser’s part or complaints from other customers. Working with a lawyer to hold all responsible parties accountable prevents future negligence and maximizes your potential compensation.
Minnesota Statute of Limitations for Sexual Assault Claims
The Minnesota sexual assault statute of limitations varies depending on the age of the victim. For adults over the age of 18, the legal time limit for assault in Minnesota is six years for a civil case. This is much more generous than the usual statute of limitations in personal injury cases to allow for the trauma and difficulty some victims face coming forward.
For those who were minors at the time of their assault, the filing deadline for sexual assault in Minnesota can be even longer. In these cases, the massage abuse claim deadline is any time before the victim turns 24.
Although the statute of limitations for civil sexual assault claims is generous, it’s best to contact a lawyer as soon as you can following an assault. Quickly seeking legal help increases the likelihood that your claim will succeed and decreases the chance that significant evidence and witnesses will go unrecorded.
Types of Damages Awarded in Sexual Assault Cases
Minnesota sexual assault damages can be separated into two primary categories: compensatory and punitive.
Punitive damages are awarded to punish the perpetrator. They are intended to deter the abuser from committing similar harm in the future.
The other type of compensation for massage sexual assault is compensatory damages. Compensatory damages are awarded to compensate victims for harm and loss suffered as a result of the abuse. Compensatory damages can be awarded for:
- Emotional distress
- Loss of income
- Medical expenses
- Reputational harm
The types of damages awarded for sexual abuse in Minnesota can vary depending on the individual circumstances of the assault. Factors that can affect the award amount include but are not limited to:
- The severity of the victim’s injuries
- The amount of lost income
- A previous history of assault on the defendant’s part
- The number of defendants. Is the lawsuit against the masseuse alone, or can the business owner or franchise also be held accountable?
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Find A Trusted Massage Sexual Assault Lawyer Today
Sexual assault can happen to anyone at any time, regardless of age or gender. Frequently, these assaults occur in situations where the victims should have had a reasonable expectation of safety, as is the case with spa massage sexual assault.
In the aftermath of sexual abuse, victims often feel ashamed, confused, and isolated. Victims often feel stuck, struggling with how to proceed or what steps to take to hold their abuser and other responsible parties accountable. If this sounds familiar, know that you don’t have to fight alone: a trusted Minnesota sexual assault lawyer can help.
Working with an experienced Florin|Roebig sexual assault lawyer can make all the difference when it comes to seeking justice and compensation from abusers and the systems that protect them. Our team has decades of experience prosecuting complex sexual assault cases and an impressive track record of victories and compensation for our clients.
Florin|Roebig employs the best attorneys for massage abuse in Minnesota. If you or someone you love is a victim of massage and spa sexual assault, don’t fight alone. Contact Florin|Roebig today to discuss your case or schedule a free evaluation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if I’ve been sexually assaulted during a massage?
First, report the assault to management and the local authorities as soon as possible. Next, reach out to a reputable Minnesota sexual assault lawyer. The sooner you seek legal representation, the better the chances are that your case will succeed.
What types of compensation can I receive if I win my sexual assault case?
Victims of massage and spa sexual assault can be awarded compensatory damages—to compensate them for loss and harm resulting from the assault—and punitive damages—awarded to punish the perpetrator.
How can a lawyer help with my sexual assault case?
A good sexual assault lawyer brings both expertise and compassion. They assist their client with gathering evidence, interfacing with law enforcement, tracking all responsible parties, navigating the legal system, and securing the maximum possible compensation.
What is the cost of hiring a Minnesota sexual assault lawyer?
Most reputable Minnesota sexual assault lawyers will offer a free initial consultation and work on a contingency basis—meaning they don’t get paid unless you receive compensation.
