Petition
Responses
Our petition for the resignation of Jon Connelly was released July 16, 2024. By July 27th, 145 people had signed the petition (and the list is growing). Thank you for joining us in saying "Enough!". The following are some of the responses we received when asked "Why are you signing this petition?":​​
I repeatedly witnessed John Connolly, making sexual comments towards women during trainings. He repeatedly commented on their appearance. I also saw him have a woman stand up and asked her to show off her body to the whole training group. I also witnessed him making comments to someone that he was providing therapeutic service to saying things like, “next time make sure you show some shoulder.“
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I witnessed inappropriate touch with his assistants while taking the one and only workshop I took with him. It was extremely creepy, and I never went back.
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Because I have heard from women who have had sexually lewd comments and/or unwanted physical touch from him. I also have seen him use a microphone, stroke it like a penis and say “This is what the guys do” in front of a group of professionally trained therapists. And no one stopped him. Not me, not anyone. He created/creates a culture of power-over and control. I have always been torn because the methods of RRT are so valuable but the mind of the person behind it was so very unhealthy. He needs to never practice again or be alone with any woman in a professional setting. I want to support those women who have been traumatized by his actions. I do hope a criminal investigation can happen too.
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Because of past concerns that I have had and voiced to Mr. Connelly regarding inappropriate sexual behavior with participants at some of his trainings.
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Because I no longer wish to train or study under him and I believe his continued association with this organization is harmful not only to current and future participants but to the organization and modality itself.
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Because I found Jon's behavior extraordinarily disturbing and embarrassingly juvenile while I was involved in RRT. The final straw was his use of an image of a young woman's decapitated head on a plate with a knife on one side and a fork on the other as a Zoom video background. Jon seemed to think this was hilarious, which I thought was an idiotic reaction considering his chosen profession.
Click to view the background screenshot ***WARNING - DISTURBING***
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We, as RRT members, should not look the other way. There are too many events/stories, which cannot be denied. We have to support each other, trust each other and stand by one another.
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I am outraged at this egregious conduct and it's impact on the reputation of ethical professionals who correctly use RRT.
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I believe in supporting victims of sexual assault in fighting for their rights and removing those who are abusing positions of power from having access to perpetuation of harm.
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I care about integrity and ethics in healing work with abuse survivors.
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I experienced weird interactions and observed unprofessional behavior from him while in his RRT training this past Jan-March 2024.
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I took Jon's virtual training in 2024 and noticed he was overstepping with some of his language (sexual connotations) toward some of the women when they raised their hand. I felt this to be inappropriate behavior and coming from a background where I've experienced sexual abuse, my nervous system knew immediately something wasn't right.
Dealing with trauma and those who are vulnerable is extremely delicate and is meant to be taken with the highest amount of love and care.
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He was inappropriate on 2 occasions with me. He’s a predator and I witnessed it first hand.
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In support of people that I know and trust that have told me their stories. I saw red flags, but once I heard the stories I could not deny. The power of RRT as a tool is undeniably amazing… but for that influence to be used and power to be used to coerce women is unacceptable.
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...I have heard ongoing unethical complaints about Jon over the years that concerned me. My fear is his antics, if unchecked, will undermine the credibility of those of us in the field doing RRT with clients. It is horribly ironic to think the founder of this model, a model that definitely helps those overcome the effects of trauma, is himself re-traumatizing clients because he can’t control his own impulses. These unethical claims are serious and need to be investigated. In the meantime, and for the benefit of those of us doing this great work, he needs to be held accountable and needs to step aside to protect the credibility of the model and give confidence to those who have or will be exposed to RRT treatment that this model is effective. I am forever grateful to Jon for his model but those of us doing healing work cannot look the other way when unethical and potentially criminal behavior is identified. We would be hypocritical ourselves if we did not act and it would be a disservice to our clients to remain silent.
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Having the power to hypnotize people and take advantage of them has got to stop! I sign this for all the women that have been taken advantage by him and put under his “spell” that I also witnessed while taking his classes. I always knew something wasn’t right then I started being told that something wasn’t right and no one was listening... I’m glad something is finally being done to stop him.
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Because I am not surprised that there are these allegations against Jon. I actively avoided being in the same space with him due to how uncomfortable I felt around him.
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I have heard too many victim accounts and stopped supporting John and IRRT years ago because of this.
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I have been subject to this infringement of therapeutic responsibility, as a result of inappropriate touch & exposure in the state of trance, in the presence of another student.
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This behavior must be called out and STOPPED IMMEDIATELY! Victims have been silenced long enough.
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I want to support those who have had the experiences of ethical and sexual misconduct, and I have my own direct experience with Dr. Connelly involving examples of ethical and sexual misconduct, which I will provide in detail to the organizers of the petition.
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I find the allegations against Jon Connelly very credible based on comments and behavior I have witnessed myself in person and online, and I cannot support him being in any position of authority within the RRT community.
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We, as RRT members, should not look the other way. There are too many events/stories, which cannot be denied. We have to support each other, trust each other and stand by one another. ​​​​​​​​
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