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ABC 15 has reported that a massage therapist was arrested for groping a teen client at Buff Boi Athletics located at C, 1050 N Fairway Dr 102 & 103, Avondale, AZ 85238.
On Wednesday, January 19, 2022, police arrested Peter Omar Martinez after a report was made that he groped a 16-year-old girl during a recovery session at the facility. The abuse was said to have occurred on December 22, 2021. The victim alleged that Martinez instructed her to lock the door before requesting she undress. She then laid down, and he began the recovery session, including rubbing her chest area.
Martinez backs his actions, stating they were in the scope of his profession. According to the facility's owner, Martinez has only performed massages on high school-age clients. Martinez has been charged with sexual abuse.
Attorney contributor Kevin Biniazan is an experienced sexual abuse victim lawyer who has represented numerous victims sexually abused by a massage therapist. Recently Kevin explained when victims can file a lawsuit for being sexually abused during a massage.
"Massage therapy is an industry that is founded on mutual trust. Violating this relationship in any manner outside the scope of practice during an exam or treatment is prohibited. In most states, certain areas of the body are restricted unless the client has given prior written consent. However, we often hear of reports of massage therapists sexually abusing their clients. The massage parlor or athletic facility is responsible for keeping its clients safe from preventable dangers, including sexual abuse. Facility owners can conduct background checks on all therapists and follow up on all reports of misconduct. The victims of these crimes deserve justice, and they have legal options in both criminal and civil courts."
"Victims can not only report the abuse to the facility but should also report it to law enforcement. This will lead to a criminal investigation. Additionally, victims may have grounds for a lawsuit against the perpetrator or the facility where the sexual assault happened. If the facility acted in a negligent way, by ignoring its legal duty to provide protection to its clients or by failing to report prior incidents of misconduct, they can be held liable. If the facility was aware of previous inappropriate conduct by the massage therapist but allowed them to continue to practice, they can be deemed negligent. Victims and their families can get the legal guidance they need by contacting an experienced sexual abuse victim lawyer."
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