CALGARY – Calgary police have charged a Calgary massage therapist after a patient came forward. Police say a 25-year-old woman was sexually assaulted during a massage therapy appointment at a clinic located at 520 3 Avenue Southwest in Calgary.
Police have charged Brad McLellan with sexual assault.
At the time of the alleged assault, McLellan was contracted by and rented space at Centennial Wellness Clinic. Police say the clinic has been co-operative during the investigation.
Police also say McLellan may have also worked for Hockey Canada, the Vancouver 2010 Paralympics Games among others.
The Natural Health Practitioners of Canada confirm McLellan is a member. The organization said he is now under interim suspension, pending the outcome of their investigation.
“In the interim, the member will be under interim suspension unless there are reasonable grounds that that is modified in any way,” said Jan Bagot, complaints director at the Natural Health Practitioners of Canada. “But there would have to be significant grounds for anything to be changed on an interim suspension.”
“It is the worst-case scenario,” added Bagot. “This type of scenario is the reason why our professional association has the complaints resolution process; it’s why we have the bylaws that give us the authority to suspend a member pending investigation.”
“We encourage all victims to come forward and make a complaint so we can do the right thing and conduct the investigation,” said Detective Sarah Roe of the Calgary Police Sex Crimes Unit.
Victims can contact police at (403)266-1234 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
WATCH: Det. Sarah Roe, of the CPS Sex Crime Unit, speaks to media regarding a sexual assault charge laid against a massage therapist.
-with files from Mia Sosiak