Improper Relationships in Connecticut

In Connecticut, there are certain sexual relationships that are not permitted between certain types of people because of factors like age, profession, or authority. These types of improper relationships in Connecticut often fall within the crime of either sexual assault in the second degree or sexual assault in the fourth degree.

Improper Relationships

What constitutes improper relationships in Connecticut? Here are a few examples:

• A person may not have sexual intercourse or sexual contact with a person who is under the supervision, being detained by, or under the custody of an institution or hospital.
• A psychotherapist may not have sexual intercourse or have sexual contact with a current patient they are seeing while they are treating them in one of their sessions. A psychotherapist may also not have sexual intercourse or sexual contact with a former patient who is emotionally dependent on the therapist. An emotionally dependent former patient is unable to consent to sexual contact with the therapist because they will accept any treatment from the therapist whether it be good or bad to hold onto that relationship. A psychotherapist may also not have sexual intercourse or sexual contact with a current or former patient if they convince him or her that the sexual intercourse is part of their treatment. Sexual intercourse with a therapist can never be part of the patient’s treatment under Connecticut law.
• A health care provider (doctor, nurse, CNA, etc.) may not have sexual intercourse or have sexual contact with another person under the false believe that the sex or sexual contact is for a medical purpose.
• A school employee may not have sexual intercourse or have sexual contact with a student who is enrolled in the school they are employed at. A school employee includes teachers, substitute teachers, school administrators, superintendent, counselors, social workers, nurses, coaches, or anyone who has regular contact with students and provides a service on behalf of those students (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-65).
• A coach or instructor may not have sexual intercourse or sexual contact with a player or person being instructed by the person and is under the age of eighteen or is enrolled in the secondary school the person works at.
• A person who is twenty years or older and stands in a position of power, supervision, or authority over a person under the age of eighteen may not have sexual intercourse or sexual contact with that minor. This position could be a legal, professional, or volunteer position and the victim is somehow linked to that position in a subordinate way.
• A person who works with or for the Commissioner of Development Services (services for people with disabilities) may not have sexual intercourse or sexual contact with persons who are under the supervision or disciplinary authority.

Consult a Connecticut Lawyer on Improper Relationships

If you have been charged with any of these crimes or have more questions about improper sexual relationships in Connecticut, it is a good idea to contact a criminal defense lawyer. Find a lawyer who has worked with sex defense in the past and can help you understand Connecticut sex crimes. Our lawyers work with sex crime defense and can help. Contact our office for more information.