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In an alarming revelation, the Florida Department of Health Board of Massage Therapy has taken decisive action against Alrick Barbaza, a massage therapist accused of sexual misconduct during a session with a female client at the Ritz Carlton Spa in Orlando, FL. This incident not only sheds light on an egregious breach of professional ethics but also prompts a broader discussion on the vital importance of maintaining a safe and respectful environment in massage therapy settings. Barbaza has been licensed as a massage therapist in Florida since 2013. Mr. Barbaza is also listed as a pediatric physical therapist practicing in Clermont, FL.
The Incident and the Ensuing Legal Action
A significant step was taken toward addressing an incident that occurred on January 23, 2023. According to the Administrative Complaint, Alrick Barbaza, then employed at Orlando’s Ritz Carlton Spa, is alleged to have crossed the line of professional conduct during a 60-minute massage that Barbaza performed on a 47-year-old female. During the massage, the client was lying face up when the sheet slipped off, exposing her breasts. Barbaza is accused of impermissibly rubbing up against the client’s vaginal area and breasts with one hand, while the other was under her buttocks. Barbaza then allegedly digitally penetrated the female, an act that starkly contravenes the trust and professional boundaries expected in such therapeutic settings. The client asked Barbaza twice if he does that with all of his clients, and he replied, “Only the ones that ask for it.”
Florida law is unequivocal in its stance against sexual activity within massage establishments, explicitly prohibiting any such acts. For licensed massage therapists, leveraging the therapist-client relationship for sexual activity is not just unethical; it’s illegal. The Board of Massage Therapy’s action against Barbaza, therefore, is not merely a disciplinary measure but a clear stand in support of professionalism and client safety. The potential consequences facing Barbaza include a raft of measures ranging from license restriction and fines to probation and mandatory remedial education.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual assault during a massage or spa treatment, it is critical to remember that it’s never too late to seek justice. Horowitz Law has filed numerous sexual assault lawsuits against massage therapists for clients who were sexually assaulted during massages at massage establishments, salons, spas, and resorts. Contact our law firm at 888-283-9922 or e-mail sexual abuse lawyer Adam Horowitz at [email protected] for a free consultation. Your courage in coming forward can not only facilitate your healing process but also help prevent future incidents by holding perpetrators accountable.