---
title: Reducing the Risk of False Allegations of Sexual Misconduct
description: Now is a good time to assess (or reassess) your practice and put processes in place to reduce the risk of sexual misconduct allegations.
image: https://files.norcal-group.com/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202020-03-24%20at%208.25.00%20AM.png
---

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# [***CLAIMS Rx*** DIRECTORY](https://www.norcal-group.com/claimsrx)

## RISK MANAGEMENT PUBLICATION

# Reducing the Risk of False Allegations of Sexual Misconduct

August 2019

Recent shocking and highly publicized sexual misconduct by physicians has likely sensitized many patients to sexual boundary issues surrounding the physician-patient relationship. This, and victim empowerment movements such as #MeToo, may result in an increase in patient lawsuits, medical board disciplinary actions, and criminal actions for real or perceived physician sexual misconduct. Public pressure could also result in physicians being held to higher professional boundary standards than they might have been in the past. Now is a good time to assess (or reassess) your practice and put processes in place to reduce the risk of sexual misconduct allegations.

***This article includes healthcare ethics content, which may help meet CME credit ethics requirements in some states.***

| **SPECIAL FEATURE** Coverage Exclusions for Sexual Misconduct in the NORCAL Insurance Policy **CASE ONE ** Incidental Touching of the Breasts **CASE TWO**  Treatment of a Familiar Patient | **CASE THREE ** Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment **CASE FOUR**  Palpation of External Genitalia in an Adolescent Patient **SPECIAL FEATURE** Q & A with NORCAL Risk Management Specialists |
| --- | --- |

**Related Topics:** [Ethics](https://www.norcal-group.com/claimsrx/tag/ethics), [Chaperones](https://www.norcal-group.com/claimsrx/tag/chaperones), [Sexual Misconduct](https://www.norcal-group.com/claimsrx/tag/sexual-misconduct)

sexual misconduct,boundary violation, medical chaperone,procedural touch,sexual impropriety,sexual violation,intimate examination,professional boundaries, boundary crossing,chaperone policy

![August 2019](https://files.norcal-group.com/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202020-03-24%20at%208.25.00%20AM.png "August 2019")

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