Calgary social-worker therapist charged with sexually assaulting a client
CBC News | Posted: April 15, 2016 4:02 PM | Last Updated: May 7, 2018
Police say man, now 76, began assaulting woman once she started attending therapy sessions without her husband
Calgary police have charged a 76-year-old social-worker therapist with sexual assault against a female client in her 30s.
Police said they first received a complaint on March 15 from a woman about inappropriate sexual conduct by Johannes Gerhardus Kilian, who is registered with the Alberta College of Social Workers and authorized to perform psychosocial interventions.
The woman told police she and her husband began attending marriage counselling with Kilian from December 2012 to March 2013, at an office in the 200 block of Fifth Avenue S.W.
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The woman continued to attend counselling sessions by herself with the therapist as of July 2013.
Police allege that, in December 2013, the therapist started asking the woman inappropriate sexual questions and began to sexually assault her.
The victim continued to be assaulted at numerous other appointments until April 2014, according to police.
"It's taken her a while to have the courage to come forward, but she has," said Staff Sgt. Steve Lorne.
"It's quite courageous for her to do this."
Lorne said Kilian is originally from South Africa and has been in Canada for the past 11 years.
Other possible victims encouraged to come forward
Investigators believe there may be other victims and, if so, Lorne said it's important for them to speak with police.
"We are reaching out to the public," he said. "If there are any other victims, we encourage them to come forward."
Calgary police encourage all victims of sexual assault to report it to them by calling their non-emergency line at 403-266-1234 or by contacting Crime Stoppers anonymously.
Police said Kilian was arrested at his downtown office and charged with sexual assault.
He is scheduled to appear in court May 11.