The association that oversees massage therapists in Saskatchewan says it can’t stop a Saskatoon therapist facing sexual assault charges from practicing.
Lori Green, executive director of the Massage Therapists Association of Saskatchewan, says the profession is unregulated in the province. The most the association can do is remove a member from the association’s list. They can’t revoke certification or shut down a practice.
“It in no way stops them from practicing or continuing to practice,” Green said. “It does not notify the public that this member or any member is under any sort of complaint or investigation.”
Her comments follow the Tuesday court appearance of 48-year-old Mark Donlevy.
Donlevy, who was arrested Nov. 2, is facing two counts of sexual assault.
Police say two women reported a male massage therapist touched them inappropriately in separate incidents in October 2013 and July 2016.
The sexual assaults allegedly occurred at a massage business operating out of a home in the 1200 block of Main Street.
Donlevy was a member of the massage therapists association at the time of the complaints.
The association is investigating the claims, Green says.
The allegations against Donlevy have yet to be proven in court.
