Sexual Misconduct: Class Action Filed Against Nordik Spa-Nature in Chelsea
Sexual Misconduct: Class Action Filed Against Nordik Spa-Nature in Chelsea
Individuals who claim to have been victims of sexual assault or misconduct during massages at Nordik Spa-Nature in Chelsea have filed a request for a class action lawsuit against the resort, citing its management of employees and contractors involved.
The application for a class action, filed on August 13, asks the court to require Nordik Spa to compensate “all individuals, along with their heirs and legal successors, who were sexually assaulted during a massage at Nordik Spa-Nature Chelsea.”
The plaintiff, identified as A.G., is a 45-year-old woman. During a visit to the spa with a friend in December, she alleges she was subjected to inappropriate actions by massage therapist Lorenzo Velasque, who was then working under contract with the business. Among other allegations, she claims Velasque placed his testicles in her left hand and “massaged the inside of her thigh, just a few centimetres from her vagina, for about 10 minutes.”
The following day, after contacting the spa’s massage therapy manager, the woman says she was dissatisfied with the response, which allegedly included neither an apology nor follow-up from the establishment.
According to the filing, at least five massage therapists who provided services at the spa in recent years are alleged to have engaged in inappropriate conduct with clients. Some of these individuals have faced criminal charges.
The request for class action is still awaiting approval by a judge, meaning it could yet be rejected. The lawyers argue, however, that the spa should take greater preventive measures to avoid similar incidents in the future.
Their recommendations include “adopting stricter hiring criteria,” requiring massage therapists to undergo training related to sexual violence, and “informing clients of their vulnerability during a massage and the risks of sexual abuse, to allow them to make an informed choice.”
In a statement, the company said it would not comment on the allegations in the filing until the appropriate time but pledged to “fully cooperate with authorities should allegations be brought to our attention.”
“We wish to reassure the public of the rigor of our internal controls and our zero tolerance toward any behavior that compromises the safety or trust of our guests,” added spokesperson Ms. Mathieu.
Reporting by Sarah-Jeanne Tremblay, Le Droit