Courthouse News Service reports that a Tacoma woman who began alcohol counseling after being charged with DUI was sexually assaulted by her counselor, who took advantage of her over the course of her "treatment" and abused his position of power over her.

In her suit against the man and the clinic through which she was supposed to receive treatment, the woman alleges negligence, lack of informed consent, breach of contract, emotional distress, invasion of privacy, assault and battery, and false imprisonment.

The woman was reportedly charged with DUI back in 2008. She claims that during her initial evaluation for treatment, the defendant-a chemical dependency counselor an Alternative Counseling-a chemical dependency clinic-interrupted the evaluation, told her she didn't need treatment, and said he would keep her out of jail. He then took her to a nearby bar and restaurant, where he bought her drinks until she became intoxicated. During their time at the bar, the man convinced her that she didn't have an alcohol problem and that he was on "the board of the judge" in charge of her DUI case, and therefore had influence over her case.

During that incident, the two left the bar after some time and went back to the treatment center so the woman could get her vehicle. The defendant then convinced the woman to follow him to a liquor store, where he purchased more alcohol, and to follow him back to his apartment, where he continued giving her alcohol and convinced her to have sex with him. After the woman left the defendant's apartment, an officer pulled her over on her way back home and again charged with DUI.

After that incident, the man allegedly continued to persuade the woman that he had things under control and would keep her out of jail. She was told she didn't need to attend group therapy, and was made to come for individual treatments at the defendant's residence, where he would give her alcohol and sexually abuse her. The defendant also allegedly threatened the woman that he would harm her or influence the court system against her if she didn't comply with his "treatment."

In October of 2008, the woman was pulled over, charged with DUI, and put on home detention after leaving the defendant's apartment. Sometime later in the month, she informed the defendant that she would be seeking treatment at a women's in-patient program. That treatment began in July 2009, and she obtained a temporary sexual assault protection order against the defendant, who became angry over her decision to discontinue "treatment" with him.

The woman filed a complaint with the Washington State Department of Health against the defendant in August 2009, and his license was suspended in September the following year.

This is an unfortunate case for a number of reasons. Alcohol abuse and drunk driving are serious problems, and multiple drunk-driving charges can be very burdensome on one's future.

Source: Courthouse News Service, "Nightmare Began After the DUI, Woman Says," Nick Mccann, 8 June 2011.