Massage therapists accused of inappropriate touching can still practice in Saskatchewan

Sex assault charges against a Saskatoon massage therapist is renewing a push toward regulation of the industry in Saskatchewan.

Mark Donlevy, 48, was charged following two separate allegations of inappropriate touching.

The first complaint dates back three years ago, while the second complaint allegedly happened in July of this year.

Police said in a news release the women reported the alleged incidents in September after seeing online posts from other women who claimed they had similar experiences.

According to Lori Green, executive director of the massage therapist association of Saskatchewan, (MTAS) there is nothing on the books right now that would prevent the accused from continuing to practice.

Moreover, the public has no way of knowing about the charges, unless they heard it on the news, or through social media, not without provincial regulations in place.

“Nobody walks in to any health professional’s office and asks if there is a pending investigation or crimes you have committed,” Green said.

“So you don’t really know who you are getting.”

Green wants that to change.

She said MTAS started lobbying the provincial government for regulation of the industry back in 1996, but they have been very actively lobbying the government for the past eight years.

In fact, they have brought forward draft regulation, proposed in April, 2015, but it still has yet to be introduced in the house.

“Without regulation we could certainly suspend a member. We could remove them from our membership base, but can not enforce them not to practice,” Green said.
 
She says while he association has a vigorous complaints and investigation standard and a code of ethics, the province should oversee discipline.

Green said they wonder why there has been in a delay in bringing forward legislation in Saskatchewan, so MTAS can “at least have some form of investigation and perhaps pre-emptive suspension” in place. 

The massage industry is regulated by the provincial government in BC, Ontario, Newfoundland, and New Brunswick.