Consensual Faculty—Student Sexual Relationships in Counselor Education: Recommendations for Counselor Educators' Decision Making

Abstract

The authors explore the issue of consensual sexual relationships between counselor educators and students. The American Counseling Association's (2005) ACA Code of Ethics is consulted, and the complex issues associated with these relationships are discussed. A case example is provided that generates suggestions to guide counselor educators' decision making related to consensual sexual relationships with students.

The Legal Aspect of Faculty/Student Relationships in Higher Education

“…Faculty should use good decision-making in weighing the consequences of any sexual relationship with a student. According to Kress & Dixon (2007), ..an educator might specifically ensure the following: (a) the student's independence and autonomy to make his or her own choices are respected, (b) no harm is done to the student, (c) actions are made with the best interests of the student in mind, (d) the educator is fair to the student in all actions and decision, (e) and the educator is truthful and genuine with the student (Kress & Dixon, 2007, p. 117).…”

“…Educators should always remember that they are a role model for their students, exhibiting professionalism which they hope their students will carry with them into the workplace. It is with this idea in mind that educators should "do what is right because they believe it is right-not simply because it is an ethical statement in their professional code of ethics" (Kress & Dixon, 2007).…”

“…One reason for this was that the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics ( 2005) had no prohibition on faculty having sexual relationships with former students. The reasoning in this situation was that the professor role is not being maintained at the same time as the romantic relationship, thus no conflict of interest is occurring (Kress & Dixon, 2007). Bowman, Hatley, and Bowman (1995) did research that indicated that 85% of his respondents, who consisted of faculty and students, actually believed that a romantic relationship was allowed provided they waited until the student graduated.…”

“…Bowman, Hatley, and Bowman (1995) did research that indicated that 85% of his respondents, who consisted of faculty and students, actually believed that a romantic relationship was allowed provided they waited until the student graduated. Likewise, a study by Gattrell, Herman, Olarte, Localio, & Feldstei (1988), indicated acceptability of mutual relationships between faculty and students as long as there was no professional, working, relationship, and the student was graduated (Kress & Dixon, 2007). According to Kress and Dixon (2007) "Although most universities have policies about sexual harassment, the issue of consensual sexual relations between faculty members and students is rarely addressed, and the issue of professors having sexual relationships with former students is seemingly not addressed at all" (Congress, 2001;Fogg & Walsh, 2002).…”

High School Predictors of College Persistence: The Significance of Engagement and Teacher Interaction

“…Male faculty members seem especially affected by the legal environment and Nicks (1996) reported males had significantly higher concerns than females regarding unjust accusations of harassing a student. In the current environment of legality and ambiguous ethical guidelines, Kress and Dixon (2007) cautioned that counselor educators might choose to distance themselves from students to avoid the appearance of impropriety or placing themselves in complex ethical situations. However, there is a dearth of literature regarding issues of relationship dynamics based on sexuality and gender in academia over the last 20 years.…”