Lawyer Commentary: In the second section of this article, sexual assault lawyer Anjali Nigam will discuss the legal rights of mental health provider sexual assault victims.
A hypnotherapist in Fort Worth was arrested in August 2019 for allegedly sexually assaulting one of his clients. 68-year-old Amanip Max Lamb was arrested on a charge f suspicion sexual assault by a mental health provider, but has not been indicted yet.
A 30-year-old woman told police that she saw Lamb due to wariness over the side effects from her anti-depression and anxiety medications. She told investigators that Lamb sexually assaulted her over a three-day period.
According to the affidavit, the victim saw Lamb for her first session on May 15, 2019. He reportedly gained her trust and called her "the perfect little victim" before hypnotizing her. The woman hoped the hypnosis would help treat her depression, anxiety, PTSD, and alcoholism.
The alleged sexual assault happened on June 3, according to the affidavit. The victim visited Lamb's house for treatment, and he reportedly offered her an alcoholic drink, despite the fact that she was a recovering alcoholic.
During that visit, Lamb allegedly told the victim that he would need to perform sexual acts with her in order to release her bad energy. She said she was uncomfortable with this idea, but accepted it because she trusted Lamb and that he had power over her.
The woman ended up staying at Lamb's home until June 6. During this time period, he allegedly sexually assaulted her using his position of trust as a way of manipulation. After returning home, she told her parents about what had happened and the family contacted the police. The woman had a sexual assault exam at a Fort Worth Hospital the next day.
Lamb was arrested on August 30 following a police investigation. He was released on a $15,000 bond.
Attorney contributor Anjali Nigam represents sexual assault victims in civil lawsuits. Anjali has offered to share some information regarding the legal rights of mental health provider sexual assault victims:
The professional relationship between a mental health provider and their clients is built on trust and must be respected. While most mental health providers conduct themselves in a professional manner, there have also been cases involving sexual abuse of clients. When this happens, the victim should be aware of their legal rights.
Sexual predators in the mental health field abuse their power and trust in order to manipulate their victims. This is a gross violation of the trust of their patients. Reporting these crimes to law enforcement can result in a criminal investigation and possible charges against the professional. Additionally, victims may also have grounds for a civil lawsuit against their mental health provider.
If you or a loved one has been sexually assaulted by a mental health professional, you can learn more about your legal rights in a free consultation with one of our experienced sexual assault victim lawyers.
https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/crime/article237797539.html