Massage therapist charged with sexual assault while working at Nordik spa - CBC.ca

[massage]

Western Quebec police say a 45-year-old massage therapist who was a subcontractor at Nordik Spa-Nature in Chelsea, Que. is accused of sexual assault while working there.

The accused man from Gatineau, Que., worked at the spa from June 2019 to December 2022, the same month as the alleged assault, according to a MRC des Collines-de-l'Outaouais police news release Thursday.

A police spokesperson went on to tell Radio-Canada he was arrested Dec. 22, 2022 and was formally charged with sexual assault March 30.

Police said the investigation so far leads them to believe he could have assaulted more people. They also said the spa is fully co-operating with its investigation.

Spa management was "shocked" when it learned about the alleged assault, Nordik general manager Isabelle Mathieu told Radio-Canada.

Mathieu said they learned about the incident shortly after the massage took place and immediately condemned the action, suspended the employee and encouraged the victim to file a police claim.

"It's completely unacceptable and not tolerated within our company," Mathieu said.

The spa employs a "rigorous" process to prevent such incidents from happening, Mathieu added, including requirements that massage therapists produce proof of certification and complete a criminal background check.

"We are deeply sorry for what happened," she said.

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