Sussex therapist who claimed he could heal trauma with sex jailed for 11 years

The Guardian - World NewsEN 4 min read 100% complete by Rachel HallMarch 12, 2026 at 01:58 PM

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long article 4 min

Gerald Peck, a Sussex therapist, was sentenced to 11 years in prison after being convicted of five sexual offenses in February 2024. Peck falsely claimed he could heal trauma through sexual touching and oral sex. The judge highlighted that Peck had been banned from practicing by the Bioenergetics Institute in the 1980s for similar abuses. The victim reported the abuse to police in 2021, detailing how Peck's "therapy" sessions involved increasing nudity and sexual acts under the guise of healing. The victim's statement described the profound and lasting damage Peck caused, and Peck was ordered to pay £9,730 in damages to cover the victim’s therapy costs. The case has also highlighted growing concerns about unregulated therapists and calls for greater oversight of the profession.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Judge Mooney 40% Crown Prosecution Service 40% Lewes 50% Bioenergetics Institute 60% Sussex 70% Gerald Peck ×690%

Keywords

sexual abuse 90% therapy abuse 80% birth trauma 70% sexual offences 70% therapist 60% unregulated therapists 50% fraud 50% sentenced 40%

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Very Negative

Score: -0.80

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The Guardian - World News

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90%

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sexual abuse therapy abuse birth trauma sexual offences therapist unregulated therapists fraud sentenced

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