Recent surveys show an alarming rate of sexual exploitation of patients by psychotherapists. Since such conduct often is outside the scope of rape, which allows a defense of consent, the psychotherapist is not prosecuted under current rape laws. Although all sexual contact between therapist and patient is prohibited by codes of professional ethics, the licensing boards that enforce these codes do not have adequate power to deter this behavior. Additionally, professional review boards have no authority over unlicensed therapists who sexually abuse their patients. Consequently, licensed therapists who have been censured in one State may practice as unlicensed therapists in another State and continue to sexually abuse patients. The only effective deterrent would be a uniform statute adopted in all States that would criminalize this specific abuse of the therapist-patient relationship. Such a statute should include unlicensed therapists as potential offenders, and consent to sexual contact should not be a defense. The statute should also provide for enhanced efforts to inform and protect victims. 128 footnotes