Around 150 women have come forward with allegations of being sexually assaulted by 36 different massage therapists at Nordik Spa Village in Chelsea, Quebec.
A significant development occurred when a Superior Court judge authorized a class-action lawsuit on October 2.
The first incident of sexual misconduct involving a massage therapist dates back to 2019, leading to a conviction for sexual assault. Fast forward to 2023, and the spa was embroiled in another sexual assault case, with authorities discovering that the accused therapist had a previous conviction for voyeurism in Ontario in 2018.
The class-action lawsuit sheds light on troubling compensation practices, with reports of some victims being offered gift cards to return to the spa where the alleged assaults took place. Furthermore, the lawsuit accuses Nordik Spa Village of failing to terminate massage therapists accused of such egregious behavior.
In response to these disturbing events, Quebec massage therapist associations are urging government officials to enact legislation aimed at strengthening safety protocols within the profession. These proposed measures include stricter training requirements and reserving the title of “massage therapist” for individuals who have met all the necessary qualifications.
Le Journal has identified at least five individuals who have either been convicted or charged with sexually assaulting clients while providing massages at Nordik Spa Village in Chelsea, with some perpetrators having served prison time.
