Preventing Sexual Misconduct in Medicine Training

Sexual misconduct in healthcare poses serious risks to patient safety, professional integrity, and public trust. In New Jersey, physicians and other licensed healthcare professionals are required to complete education addressing professional boundaries, sexual misconduct prevention, and appropriate reporting obligations as part of ongoing licensure and institutional compliance. This activity is designed to meet New Jersey state requirements while addressing persistent and often unrecognized gaps in clinician knowledge, awareness, and preparedness related to sexual misconduct in healthcare settings.

Despite existing policies and mandatory reporting laws in New Jersey, many clinicians remain uncertain about how to identify early warning signs of boundary violations, distinguish inappropriate behavior from reportable misconduct, or respond appropriately when concerns or disclosures arise. This program provides practical, evidence-informed education on the spectrum of sexual misconduct, including harassment, abuse of power, and boundary violations, through the lens of New Jersey statutes, professional board expectations, and healthcare organizational policies. Learners will review their legal, ethical, and professional responsibilities, including mandated reporting requirements and protections for patients, trainees, and staff.

Using case-based examples and trauma-informed approaches, this activity equips participants with the skills needed to respond appropriately to disclosures, support affected individuals, and contribute to a culture of safety and professionalism. By completing this activity, learners will not only satisfy New Jersey’s mandated education requirements but also strengthen their ability to recognize risks they may not have previously identified, intervene early, and uphold the standards of conduct essential to safe, respectful, and ethical healthcare practice.

This activity is designed for physicians, residents, fellows, advanced practice providers, nurses, and other licensed healthcare professionals involved in the delivery of patient care within academic and community healthcare settings. The program is particularly relevant for clinicians practicing in New Jersey who are required to complete mandated education on professional boundaries and the prevention of sexual misconduct in healthcare.

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be better able to:

• Define and distinguish sexual misconduct, boundary violations, harassment, and abuse of power within professional healthcare settings, using current regulatory and ethical standards.
• Recognize early warning signs and risk factors for sexual misconduct in clinical, educational, and supervisory relationships.
• Apply professional boundaries and ethical frameworks to prevent misconduct and respond appropriately to boundary crossings.
• Identify legal, institutional, and reporting obligations related to sexual misconduct, including mandatory reporting requirements and protections for patients, trainees, and staff.
• Demonstrate trauma-informed and victim-centered approaches when responding to disclosures of sexual misconduct.
• Implement strategies to foster a culture of professionalism, safety, and accountability within healthcare teams and organizations.

This activity has been planned and implemented by Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Rutgers School of Social Work and New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs. Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the health care team.

Physicians

Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences designates this enduring material for a maximum of 2 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits^TM.  Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Advanced Practice Nurses, Nurses, Physician Associates

AANP, ANCC, and NCCPA accepts certificates of participation for educational activities approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ from organizations accredited by ACCME.

In order to help ensure content objectivity, independence, and fair balance, and to ensure that the content is aligned with the interest of the public, this content has been reviewed by non-conflicted, qualified reviewers.  This activity was peer-reviewed for relevance, accuracy of content, and balance of presentation.

This activity was pilot-tested for time required for participation.

In accordance with the disclosure policies of Rutgers Health and to conform with Joint Accreditation requirements and FDA guidelines, individuals in a position to control the content of this educational activity are required to disclose to the activity participants: 1) the existence of any relevant financial relationship with any ineligible company, i.e., a company whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients, within the past 24 months; and 2) the identification of a commercial product/device that is unlabeled for use or an investigational use of a product/device not yet approved.

The following authors have no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose.

Gabrielle Gault, MSW, LSW, Program Manager, Training and Technical Assistance, Center for Research on Ending Violence, Rutgers University School of Social Work

Sierra Trastelis, BA, Former Training Coordinator, Center for Research on Ending Violence, Rutgers School of Social Work

The following planners and reviewers have no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose:

Joyce Afran, MD, Associate Dean for Primary Care Education, Co-Director Physicianship;  Assistant Professor, Director, Family Medicine Clerkship, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School 

Jennifer Amico, MD, MPH, Director, New Jersey Reproductive Training and Education Initiative; Associate Professor, Co-Director, Reproductive Health Fellowship, Department of Family and Community Health, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School 

Eric Apar, JD, Deputy Director for Policy and Strategic Planning, Division of Consumer Affairs, New Jersey Attorney General’s Office

Kerry Camerer, MSW, LSW, Former Director, Office for Violence Prevention & Victim Assistance (VPVA) - Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences

Sharon Joyce, JD, Special Assistant to the Director, Division of Consumer Affairs, New Jersey Attorney General’s Office

Sarah McMahon, PhD, MSW, Professor and Director, Center for Research on Ending Violence, Rutgers School of Social Work

Ethan Yoo, MI, Research Assistant, Center for Research on Ending Violence, Rutgers School of Social Work

Patrick Dwyer, Director, Continuing Medical Education, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences

The following field testers have no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose:

Danielle Flood, MD, Instructor, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

Matt Pelton, MD, Chief Resident, Department of Medicine, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

Kiley Trott, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Head and Neck Surgery & Communication Sciences, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School; Pediatric-Otolaryngologist, RWJ Barnabas Health

This activity does not contain information of commercial products/devices that are unlabeled for use or investigational uses of products not yet approved. 

The views expressed in this activity are those of the faculty.  It should not be inferred or assumed that they are expressing the views of Rutgers School of Social Work, Rutgers Health, or New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs.

There is a $20 fee to participate in the activity.  

To receive CE credit for this activity and meet the New Jersey Board of Medical Examiners CME licensing requirement for sexual misconduct prevention, participants are required to view the activity in its entirety, complete the post-test with a 70% passing score, and complete the activity evaluation. CE certificates will be emailed to participants no later than 45 days after the activity is completed as designed.

For questions regarding the activity content or technical questions related to this activity, contact the Center for Research on Ending Violence at training@ssw.rutgers.edu.

For CE-related questions or concerns, contact Rutgers Health at ccoe@ca.rutgers.edu.

To review the Rutgers Health CE privacy policy, click here.

Copyright © 2026. Rutgers University. All rights reserved, including translation into other languages. No part of this activity may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from Rutgers School of Social Work.

General Questions

• Who is required to take this course? All physicians who are licensed by the New Jersey Board of Medical Examiners.
• How do I enroll? Visit the course landing page to learn more. The registration link is at the bottom of the landing page. Once registered you will automatically be enrolled in the Rutgers Learning Management System, Canvas, where the course is hosted.
• Does this course meet the new New Jersey Board of Medical Examiners CME licensing requirement for sexual misconduct prevention? Yes. This course fully meets the new sexual misconduct education requirements as outlined in N.J.A.C 13:35-6.15.
• Is this course eligible for CMEs? Yes. This activity has been planned and implemented by Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Rutgers School of Social Work and New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs. Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the health care team.
• Is this course eligible for Social Work CEHs? Yes, the Rutgers School of Social Work is approved as an ACE provider (provider #1849) to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 4/5/2024 – 4/5/2027.
• How do I get credit or a certificate? You must review all components of the course and complete the final evaluation and post-test with a score of 70% or higher. Participants who meet all requirements will be emailed a certificate of completion within 45 days.

Questions about Enrollment and Administration

• What is Canvas? Canvas is Rutgers’ Learning Management System.  You will be automatically enrolled in Canvas when you register for the course. If you have previously taken any courses in Rutgers Canvas or are a former student it is recommended to use your existing login email when registering to align your accounts.
• I’m having issues with Canvas. Who do I contact?
  • Getting Started in Canvas for Students
  • Live 24/7/365 Canvas Support is available through the Canvas Help Desk at 1-877- 361-1134 or help@canvas.rutgers.edu
• Still need help?
  • For questions regarding the activity content, technical questions related to this activity, or for questions related to the provision of Social Work CEHs, contact the Center for Research on Ending Violence at training@ssw.rutgers.edu.
  • For CME-related questions or concerns, contact Rutgers Health at ccoe@ca.rutgers.edu.