> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://ghost.psymposia.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# #15 – Psychedelics, Sex, Power, Silence
- URL: https://ghost.psymposia.com/psychedelics-sex-power-silence-lily-kay-ross/
- Published: 2020-05-18T16:11:22.000Z
- Updated: 2021-12-01T08:38:54.000Z
- Description: In this episode, Lily Kay Ross joins us to discuss Olivia Goldhill’s story, “Psychedelic therapy has a sexual abuse problem.” Ross recently completed her doctorate studying social responses to sexual violence. She brings both her personal experience with sexual violence and poor community responses
- Author: Plus Three
- Tags: Podcasts, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-08-25 22:59

[Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/plus-three/id1489329965?ref=ghost.psymposia.com)  
[Google Play](https://play.google.com/music/listen?ref=ghost.psymposia.com#/ps/Iexm6xgqydq2dpww36ldfkmp43u)  
[Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/3mWetcKPzU9iZfEjUnN4LY?si=9EzQ3pXmT1q5me7bNEVyVw&ref=ghost.psymposia.com)  
[Stitcher](https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/plus-three?ref=ghost.psymposia.com)  
[Radio Public](https://radiopublic.com/plus-three-60NbPB?ref=ghost.psymposia.com)  
[Deezer](https://www.deezer.com/us/show/700442?ref=ghost.psymposia.com)  
[RSS](http://plusthree.libsyn.com/rss?ref=ghost.psymposia.com)   
Sexual abuse in psychedelic therapy (above and underground) is a long-standing, [documented](https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2050324518767442?ref=ghost.psymposia.com), and enduring reality maintained through cultures of silence, coercion, and [victim blame](https://ghost.psymposia.com/i-survived-sexual-abuse-in-the-amazon-and-victim-blame-at-home/). The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) has received [complaints](https://cms.qz.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/2-Buisson-court-filing.pdf?ref=ghost.psymposia.com) about [therapists](https://maps.org/news/posts/7749-statement-public-announcement-of-ethical-violation-by-former-maps-sponsored-investigators?ref=ghost.psymposia.com) affiliated with their clinical trials and integration list. In spring 2019, MAPS published a [Code of Conduct](https://maps.org/news/bulletin/articles/436-maps-bulletin-spring-2019-vol-29,-no-1/7710-maps-mdma-assisted-psychotherapy-code-of-ethics-spring-2019?ref=ghost.psymposia.com) which outlines sexual boundaries, use of touch, and erotic transference, which are necessary but not sufficient. Addressing sexual misconduct requires comprehensive, evidence-based prevention education strategies and clear avenues for holding therapists to account.

In this episode, recorded in February, Lily Kay Ross joins us to discuss Olivia Goldhill’s article, “[Psychedelic therapy has a sexual abuse problem](https://qz.com/1809184/psychedelic-therapy-has-a-sexual-abuse-problem-3/?ref=ghost.psymposia.com).” Ross recently completed her doctorate studying social responses to sexual violence. She brings both her personal experience with sexual violence and poor community responses in psychedelic spaces and her academic insights to bear on the myriad of questions highlighted by Goldhill’s reporting.

## Watch  

**Episode links**

[I Survived Sexual Abuse In The Amazon And Victim Blame At Home](https://ghost.psymposia.com/i-survived-sexual-abuse-in-the-amazon-and-victim-blame-at-home/) by Lily Kay Ross

[Psychedelic therapy has a sexual abuse problem](https://qz.com/1809184/psychedelic-therapy-has-a-sexual-abuse-problem-3/?ref=ghost.psymposia.com) by Olivia Goldhill

[The early use of MDMA (‘Ecstasy’) in psychotherapy (1977–1985](https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2050324518767442?ref=ghost.psymposia.com)) by Torsten Passie

[Supreme Court of British Columbia](https://cms.qz.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/2-Buisson-court-filing.pdf?ref=ghost.psymposia.com) between Meaghan Buisson (Plaintiff) and Richard Yensen and Donna Dryer (Defendants)

[Statement: Public Announcement of Ethical Violation by Former MAPS-Sponsored Investigators](https://maps.org/news/posts/7749-statement-public-announcement-of-ethical-violation-by-former-maps-sponsored-investigators?ref=ghost.psymposia.com)

[MAPS MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy Code of Ethics](https://maps.org/news/bulletin/articles/436-maps-bulletin-spring-2019-vol-29,-no-1/7710-maps-mdma-assisted-psychotherapy-code-of-ethics-spring-2019?ref=ghost.psymposia.com)