B.C. massage therapist admits to exposing, massaging patients' chests without consent
A B.C. massage therapist's registration is being cancelled for at least five years after he admitted to professional misconduct against multiple patients, which included exposing their chests without consent.
According to a consent agreement posted by the College of Massage Therapists of B.C. earlier this month, Dennis Desrochers won't be permitted to reapply for registration in the profession until May 2027.
Desrochers admitted to several acts of misconduct against seven patients between 2011 and 2018.
In many of the instances, Desrochers undraped patients to their waist, exposing their breasts without consent and when it wasn't necessary. For some patients, that happened on "five or more occasions," the consent agreement said.
Desrochers also admitted to massaging some patients' chests "without ensuring that the patient was fully informed regarding treatment, which is a requirement for obtaining the patient’s full informed consent to treatment."
He also talked to some patients about their breast size and his experiences receiving a massage, which the college called "unprofessional communication."
On two other occasions in that seven-year timeframe, Desrochers used "his hands to examine a patient’s breasts for indications of cancer when doing so was outside the scope of practice of massage therapy in British Columbia."
Even if Desrochers applies to have his registration reinstated, the college said it won't be automatic, but will need to be reviewed by the registration committee.
"The inquiry committee considered Mr. Desrochers' admitted conduct to be serious," the agreement said.
"The inquiry committee is satisfied that the consent order in this matter appropriately reflects the seriousness of the admitted conduct and will protect patient safety through cancellation of Mr. Desrochers’ registration, meaning that Mr. Desrochers will no longer be authorized to practice as a registered massage therapist in B.C."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What's a Barnacle? It's yellow, sticks and screams if you try to pry it off your car
Barnacles, bright yellow devices used to make sure parking scofflaws pay their tickets, could soon be making their way to cities across Canada.
Verdun Airbnb listing taken down amid complaints, fines and frustration from neighbours
An Airbnb in Montreal's Verdun borough was the source of much frustration from neighbours who say there were constant parties at the location. It has been taken down from the app, but housing advocates remain upset about short-term rentals.
Man who set himself on fire outside Trump trial dies of injuries, police say
A man who doused himself in an accelerant and set himself on fire outside the courthouse where former U.S. President Donald Trump is on trial has died, police said.
They were from different countries and barely spoke each other's languages. More than 20 years later, they're still happily in love
He decided to spend Christmas somewhere that wouldn't involve snowstorm disasters. She was spending the holidays with family, travelling for the first time outside of her native country of Venezuela. 23 years later, they're still in love.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
A Nigerian chess champion plays the royal game for 60 hours - a new global chess record
A Nigerian chess champion and child education advocate played chess nonstop for 60 hours in New York City's Times Square to break the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon.
Fire in Labrador town under control, officials tells residents to stay away
RCMP say the fire that prompted a state of emergency in a Labrador town is now under control.
12 students and teacher killed in Columbine school shooting remembered at 25th anniversary vigil
Thirteen victims of the Columbine High School shooting were remembered during a vigil Friday on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the shooting that was the worst the nation had seen at the time.
Israeli airstrike in southern Gaza city of Rafah kills at least 9 Palestinians, including 6 children
An Israeli airstrike on a house in Gaza's southernmost city killed at least nine people, six of them children, hospital authorities said Saturday, as Israel pursued its nearly seven-month offensive in the besieged Palestinian territory.