Unethical Intimacy: A Survey of Sexual Contact and Advances Between Psychology Educators and Female Graduate Students

This anonymous survey of female members of APA Division 12 examined (a) their experiences during graduate training of sexual intimacy with and sexual advances from psychology educators and (b) their past and current perceptions and evaluations of these experiences in terms of coercion, ethicality, and impact on the professional working relationship. The replies (44%, N = 464) indicated that sexual contact is quite prevalent overall (17%) and among recent doctoral recipients (22%) and among students divorcing or separating during graduate training (34%). On the average, evaluations at the time of contact were neutral but currently are notably more negative; many currently perceive the contact as extremely exploitive and harmful. Sexual advances were reported by 31% and were judged by most to be overwhelmingly negative. Almost all respondents judge sexual contact between an educator and a student during a working relationship as highly unethical. Implications for graduate training and clarification of APA ethical principles are discussed.