'You have no protection' massage association warns after masseur arrested

In mid-September, a post went up on a well-known gossip website, detailing the inappropriate behaviour of a Saskatoon massage therapist.

The public does not have any protection- Lori Green 

Today, Mark Donlevy, 48, is facing two charges of sexual assault.

What's troubling, according to the Massage Therapists Association of Saskatchewan, is that there is nothing stopping Donlevy from continuing his practice.

Saskatoon massage therapist facing sexual assault charges

Saskatchewan massage therapist allowed to practise despite sexually assaulting client

"In the province of Saskatchewan you have no protection; the public does not have any protection or availability of knowing if there's anyone currently being investigated," said executive director Lori Green.

That's because there is no law regulating the trade. The association is voluntary. In fact, Donlevy is a member, and the first hints of trouble Green received came in a police news release.

Green said they've long been pushing for legislation.

Alleged victims come forward after reading website

Even as the work to establish laws to regulate the industry dragged on for more than a decade, Donlevy was running a massage therapy business out of a home in the 1200 block of Main Street.

Then, early last month, Donlevy was arrested by the police sex crimes unit. He made his first court appearance yesterday at Saskatoon provincial court.

Police said that the two victims who accuse Donlevy of touching them inappropriately read the September post on that gossip website and decided to come forward and tell their stories.

One of the allegations against Donlevy dates back to October 2013. The other is alleged to have happened this past summer in July.

He is due back in court again on Dec. 20.

As this case winds its way through the justice system, Green warned that not only is there nothing to stop Donlevy from practicing, there is also nothing to prevent people from producing a fake certificate, and jumping into the business.

Without the press being involved in this no one would know.- Lori Green 

"The public just assumes that these people have the proper education, that they've been vetted properly," Green said.

"Our primary focus on legislation is keeping the standards up, letting the public understand what is required to be a massage therapist and to let the public be aware of any events such as this happening, or suspensions happening prior to a news release."

In response, the provincial government said that they key stakeholders involved couldn't seem to agree what should be included in a law aimed at protecting the public from unscrupulous or unqualified massage therapists. The government has asked the industry to find consensus.