A social worker, employed in a prison in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, was struck off in her professional order for at least a year for having had a carnal relationship with her patient.
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“Having sex with a customer is a conduct that goes against the values and the purpose of the profession of social worker. This type of offense affects the credibility of the profession and seriously undermines public confidence towards our members, “deplores its disciplinary council in a recent decision.
The detention center in Amos, where the speaker met the offender.
Google Map
Isabelle Girardin, a worker from the Amos detention center, committed these “derogatory acts” between May and July 2023. At the time, she came to the aid of a forty -year -old. The latter had been in jail for a few months after being found guilty in particular of criminal harassment.
The detainee first wrote to him on his “professional” Facebook account. Then, a week after getting out of prison, the social worker and her client found themselves under the same bed duvet.
It was thanks to this Facebook account that the former detainee was able to offer the speaker a meeting, a week after his release from prison.
Isabelle Girardin intervening Facebook screenshot
“From this first meeting, she established and maintained a personal, love and sexual relationship with sir. […] [Girardin agissait toujours à l’intérieur de la durée de la relation professionnelle», relate l’Ordre des travailleurs sociaux et des thérapeutes conjugaux et familiaux du Québec (OTSTCFQ).
Démasquée grâce à son cell
La travailleuse sociale a d’abord nié les faits reprochés par l’enquêtrice attitrée à ce dossier. L’Amossoise a toutefois reconnu sa culpabilité lorsque la syndique adjointe de l’Ordre lui a demandé de fournir son relevé téléphonique.
Entre mai et novembre 2023, Isabelle Girardin et le délinquant ont échangé au moins 89 appels.
Portrait de la travailleuse sociale, radiée pour la prochaine année de son Ordre.
Photo tiré du compte Facebook de Isa Girardin
«L’intimée a manqué de discernement en franchissant la distance thérapeutique et émotionnelle qui doit exister entre la travailleuse sociale et son client», critique le Conseil de discipline.
En plus de sa radiation d’un an au tableau de l’Ordre, Girardin devra payer une amende de 2500$. L’intervenante a par ailleurs été suspendue de la prison durant cinq jours sans solde en raison de sa relation. Elle a ensuite démissionné en octobre 2023.
Le grand amour, selon elle
Toujours selon la décision de l’Ordre, on apprend que l’ancien détenu et Isabelle Girardin entretiennent toujours leur lien.
«Le 21 octobre 2023, l’intimée démissionne aussi de l’Ordre et renoue sa relation amoureuse avec monsieur. […] It always forms a couple with the customer. They coexist together and are happy, ”it is said.
The disciplinary council also confirms that the Quebecer was warned in the past. She then engaged with the trustee’s office in May 2023, just before falling in love with the offender, to “learn to put clear limits between oneself and the customers”.
Girardin now held a planning, programming and research agent in a family medicine group in Abitibi-Témiscamingue.
“This is work [administratif] where it no longer makes a helping relationship, ”says order.
