Preventing and Addressing Client Sexual Abuse and Sexual Misconduct

This is the mandatory training page. Click here to return to CAP's information page on preventing and addressing sexual abuse and misconduct.

Overview

Mandatory Training on Preventing and Addressing Sexual Abuse and Misconduct

In November 2018, Bill 21: An Act to Protect Patients was introduced to improve transparency and enforce penalties for regulatory complaints relating to sexual abuse and misconduct. 

The legislative amendment to the Health Professions Act included the requirement that all regulated health professionals undertake specialized training to prevent and address sexual abuse and misconduct. Each year at practice permit renewal, Alberta psychologists are required to declare their successful completion of training on preventing and addressing sexual abuse. Below are two trainings that fulfill the legislated mandatory training requirement. One training has been developed by The College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP) and the other by the Alberta Federation of Regulated Health Professions (AFRHP). Psychologists are only required to complete at least ONE of the trainings. Due to the sensitivity and significance of the topic and the potential implications for regulated members, CAP encourages all psychologists to complete BOTH trainings. Psychologists are required to declare at the time of their annual practice permit renewal that they have completed the prevention of sexual abuse and sexual misconduct mandatory training. Please note that this training is not an annual requirement, but it is expected that all regulated members complete this training at least once.

CAP Professional Training for Alberta Psychologists

The College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP) is committed to providing quality educational resources for Alberta psychologists regarding current legislation and professional practices on preventing and addressing client/patient sexual abuse and misconduct.

Building on the Health Professions Act (HPA); Bill 21: An Act to Protect Patients, this training integrates the Canadian Psychological Association’s Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists, the CAP Standards of Practice and the CAP Practice Guideline: Preventing and Addressing Sexual Abuse and Misconduct, along with other regulatory documents. 

Specifically, three self-guided, online modules have been developed to support psychologists in furthering their awareness and professional practices in preventing and addressing client/patient sexual abuse and misconduct by health care professionals. 

  • Module 1: HPA Amendments Preventing and Addressing Sexual Abuse and Misconduct 
  • Module 2: Psychological Professional Practice Framework for Preventing and Addressing Sexual Abuse and Misconduct
  • Module 3: Professional Guidance for Psychologists in Preventing and Addressing Sexual Abuse and Misconduct

The time to complete each module is approximately 45-60 minutes and can be completed from a tablet, smart phone, or computer. These modules are available at no charge and are to be completed by regulated members at least once (as per the HPA).

Due to the seriousness of this topic and it’s far reaching implications, please complete these modules when you can give your full attention to the content.

Instructions

How to Complete Each Module

  1. Watch the overview animation
  2. Watch the detailed module video and take notes
  3. Take the learning review by clicking on the hyperlink under each module video
    (a pass rate of 80% is required for ‘successful’ completion).
Module 1

HPA Amendments Preventing and Addressing Sexual Abuse and Misconduct

HPA Amendments Preventing and Addressing Sexual Abuse and Misconduct, speaks to the legislation around sexual misconduct and abuse and specifically outlines the serious consequences arising for all parties when violations occur. Clear definitions of what constitutes sexual misconduct and abuse, as well as a general overview of the foundational professional practice ethics and CAP Standards of Practice are provided to complement the legislation. Lastly, it points to specifics around legislative consequences and their implications for client safety and society’s trust in the profession of psychology.

Complete This Module
Module 2

Psychological Professional Practice Framework for Preventing and Addressing Sexual Abuse and Misconduct

Psychological Professional Practice reviews the professional practice framework for psychologists. It makes explicit the need for boundaries in context of the professional practice framework of the Canadian Psychological Association Canadian Code of Ethics for Psychologists and the CAP Standards of Practice. This module stresses the importance of establishing and maintaining clear professional boundaries as part of the informed consent process.

Complete This Module
Module 3

Professional Guidance for Psychologists in Preventing and Addressing Sexual Abuse and Misconduct

Professional Guidance for Psychologists in Preventing and Addressing Sexual Abuse and Misconduct, offers detailed guidance to inform sensitivity to context, culture, conditions, and changing societal expectations in psychological practice. It reveals attitudes and behaviours around sexual boundary violations known to increase risk for psychologists. Strategies and resources for preventing and addressing sexual misconduct and abuse are offered throughout. The responsibility to report and the role of self-reporting are also outlined in this module.

Complete This Module

Take the Survey - CAP Training Modules

Once you have completed the CAP training modules, please take this five minute survey.


AFRHP Training for Regulated Health Professions

The "Protecting Patients from Sexual Abuse and Misconduct" course was developed by the Alberta Federation of Regulated Health Professions (AFRHP) to fulfill the training requirement set forth in the amended Health Professions Act. This three-part, self-guided, online course was designed to support all regulated health professionals.

  • Module 1: Introduction to an Act to Protect Patients
  • Module 2: Preventing Sexual Abuse and Sexual Misconduct
  • Module 3: When Sexual Abuse or Sexual Misconduct has Occurred
Instructions

How to Complete Each Module

  1. The time to complete the training is approximately 1 hour. 
  2. All modules should be completed in one sitting (progress is not saved).
  3. Training should be completed on a computer (not a mobile device).
  4. Upon successful course completion, enter your name in a pop-up box to generate a certificate (for your records).
  5. To access the Alberta Federation of Regulated Health Professionals webpage, click here.
  6. You must use Google Chrome for this training and ensure that Flash is currently updated to the most recent version. For the step-by-step guide to use Google Chrome and Flash, please click here.
Module 1

Introduction to An Act to Protect Patients

Module 2

Preventing Sexual Abuse and Sexual Misconduct

Module 3

When Sexual Abuse or Sexual Misconduct has Occurred

Take the Survey - AFRHP Training Modules

Once you have completed the AFRHP training modules, please take a few minutes to complete this survey.


Copyright 2024 by College of Alberta Psychologists

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Registration and Renewal

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This section provides information and resources to address concerns about the conduct of a psychologist. 

 

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Professional Guidance

CAP communicates with members, providing regulatory information and guidance. Regulated members are welcome to contact CAP for professional guidance related to regulatory information.

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About CAP

Learn more about CAP and its mandated responsibiliites under the Health Professions Act. 

Resources & Regulatory Information

A number of documents govern the regulation of the profession of psychology and documents and resources are developed in order to promote competent and ethical practice and to guide its members. 

Sexual Abuse/Misconduct

Addressing and Preventing Sexual Abuse and Misconduct for Psychologists