​Policy crosses the professional/client line say critics

Bosses at a sexual health charity have sparked controversy after it emerged they allow staff to engage in sexual relationships with clients.

Mesmec, based in Leeds, supports child abuse victims, sex workers and gay men with 45 staff and more than 100 volunteers.

Its workers conduct policy states: “Sexual relationships are acceptable with service users initially met during work time”.

All charities have a policy in place around sexual relationships between their staff and clients, often clearly restricting or banning it.

The policy document says that sex with children is unacceptable and adds that sex with any client “would be inappropriate if the service user has entered into a 1-2-1 or ongoing support relationship with the worker”.

The chief executive of the Survivors Trust, a national agency providing support for victims of rape and sexual violence, Fay Maxted, said: “I am astonished at how it has been written and the advice it contains about personal sexual relationships with service users.

“The nearest example I can think of this that would be appropriate or acceptable is around relationships with ex-service users and even then with caution.

“The policy doesn’t sufficiently protect service users from workers who may exploit their position to gain access to vulnerable people. In fact, it’s a charter for workers to seek out service users they want to have a relationship with.”

Mesmac’s chief executive, Tom Doyle, said: “We understand that, viewed out of context of Yorkshire Mesmac’s suite of policies including safeguarding of children and of adults at risk, there is a possibility that this code of conduct could be misunderstood.”

He said the policy would now be redrafted.