Approximately 150 women say they were sexually assaulted by 36 different massage therapists at Nordik Spa Village in Chelsea, Que.
A class-action lawsuit was authorized Oct. 2 by a Superior Court judge.
The first reported instance of sexual misconduct involving a massage therapist occurred in 2019. The therapist was later found guilty of sexual assault.
Four years later, in 2023, the spa faced another sexual assault case. Authorities later learned that the massage therapist had previously been convicted of voyeurism in Ontario in 2018.
According to the class-action lawsuit, the spa offered some victims gift cards to return to the facility where they allegedly had been assaulted as a form of compensation. The lawsuit also alleges that Nordik Spa Village did not fire some of the massage therapists accused of sexually assaulting clients.
Quebec massage therapist associations are calling on government officials to pass legislation aimed at improving safety measures in the profession. Proposed measures include enhanced training requirements and reserving the title of “massage therapist” for individuals who meet all necessary qualifications.
Le Journal identified at least five men who have been convicted or charged with sexually assaulting clients while they were receiving massages at Nordik Spa Village in Chelsea. Several of the men have served prison sentences.
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