A local substance abuse counselor is accused of raping a client in an environment where she is supposed to feel safe.David DeCuir is charged with sexual battery, sexual misconduct by a psychotherapist and kidnapping.In the Brevard County Jail on Friday, counselor DeCuir groaned to hear the charges read against him."You're charged with sexual battery on a victim 12 years of age or older," the judge said.Also see: Demonstrators dangle from Oregon bridgeDeCuir has a master's degree in social work and counsels clients at Brevard Outpatient Alternative Treatment, which offers treatment for substance abuse, mental health and behavioral issues. On July 21 police said DeCuir had a session with the victim. At the end of the session, police said the 6-foot-2, 286-pound DeCuir did something that really scared the victim. He got up, and locked the door."She was very frightened; she was very upset. This is a person who was there seeking help from this individual," said Jeff Pearson, Satellite Beach police chief.Police said DeCuir persuaded the victim to allow him to touch her sexually, and then persuaded her to touch him. Prosecutor Gary Beatty said state law is written specifically to protect clients and patients from a professional who is in a position of trust."Sexual contact between patients and counselors is simply prohibited," Beatty said."They're held to a much higher standard, and they should be. And certainly that trust was broken," Pearson added.Sexual misconduct by a psychotherapist is an additional charge that could lengthen DeCuir's prison time if he is convicted. Police said the executive director of the counseling center is shocked and troubled, and is working to find out if any others have been victimized. DeCuir acknowledged and apologized for what happened during a recorded phone call between him and the victim, officials said.Top video: Grumpy puppy takes Facebook by storm

A local substance abuse counselor is accused of raping a client in an environment where she is supposed to feel safe.

David DeCuir is charged with sexual battery, sexual misconduct by a psychotherapist and kidnapping.

Advertisement Related Content Mental health counselor accused of sexually assaulting patients

In the Brevard County Jail on Friday, counselor DeCuir groaned to hear the charges read against him.



"You're charged with sexual battery on a victim 12 years of age or older," the judge said.

Also see: Demonstrators dangle from Oregon bridge

DeCuir has a master's degree in social work and counsels clients at Brevard Outpatient Alternative Treatment, which offers treatment for substance abuse, mental health and behavioral issues.

On July 21 police said DeCuir had a session with the victim. At the end of the session, police said the 6-foot-2, 286-pound DeCuir did something that really scared the victim. He got up, and locked the door.

"She was very frightened; she was very upset. This is a person who was there seeking help from this individual," said Jeff Pearson, Satellite Beach police chief.

Police said DeCuir persuaded the victim to allow him to touch her sexually, and then persuaded her to touch him. Prosecutor Gary Beatty said state law is written specifically to protect clients and patients from a professional who is in a position of trust.

"Sexual contact between patients and counselors is simply prohibited," Beatty said.

"They're held to a much higher standard, and they should be. And certainly that trust was broken," Pearson added.

Sexual misconduct by a psychotherapist is an additional charge that could lengthen DeCuir's prison time if he is convicted.

Police said the executive director of the counseling center is shocked and troubled, and is working to find out if any others have been victimized.

DeCuir acknowledged and apologized for what happened during a recorded phone call between him and the victim, officials said.

Top video: Grumpy puppy takes Facebook by storm

AlertMe