Paragol, Ark (KAIT) – Massage therapy is intended to be a relaxing and stress-free experience, a place of stress without unwanted attention or touch.
For business owner Jennifer Woodside, delivering a safe environment is her top priority.
“As a massage therapist, my job is to help the client feel safe and relaxed,” Woodside said.
Make sure you agree with the massage therapist when you show up for that stress-free appointment.
Go with your gut, Woodside said. If you feel something is missing, then leave.
“Let him do this to you. Do I feel safe here? I feel like I can chill or relax,” Woodside said.
She understands that mistakes can happen, but you have to remember that you have a voice when it happens.
“They just lay on that table, and they let it happen and some inappropriate grazing and touching where he shouldn’t be touching,” Woodside said.
Reporting sex crimes is often a very difficult process.
The Arkansas Board of Massage takes these complaints seriously. In most cases the accused person’s license is withdrawn, but the board cannot act until a report is submitted.
“And we hear about it, we see customers suffering from it, but nobody reports it because it goes on,” Woodside said.
If there was one thing Jennifer Woodside was worried about, it was coming forward so it wouldn’t happen to someone else.
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