Vernon physiotherapist accused of sexual assault facing more restrictions | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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Vernon physiotherapist accused of sexual assault facing more restrictions

Stephen Witvoet
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VERNON - The College of Physical Therapists of B.C. has imposed more conditions on a Vernon physiotherapist facing over a dozen charges of sexual assault.

Stephen Witvoet is currently facing 14 charges of sexual assault for incidents that took place between June 2009 and April 2018. The charges involve 14 separate complainants.

The College of Physical Therapists has imposed conditions on Witvoet prohibiting him from treating female patients of any age and that he must keep a door or curtain open at all times when treating male patients.

A college inquiry committee released the restrictions on July 2 ordering the conditions under the Health Professions Act.

Witvoet is also prohibited from acting in his capacity as a physical therapist outside the clinical setting towards females; he must notify the College of all locations used to provide physical therapy services to male patients; whenever he provides physical therapy services to male patients he must post a notice in a conspicuous place in the reception area and treatment room confirming his prohibition from providing treatment to female patients.

Witvoet is also ordered to submit a list to the College of patient names and confirm the male gender to whom he has provided physical therapy services. He must also submit and cooperate with random site-based audits.

According to a notice from the College, there is a real risk to the public who need to be protected during the investigation into the allegations.

Witvoet was originally arrested in December 2017 and charged with two counts of sexual assault dating back to July 2015 and November 2016. The allegations were made by patients undergoing treatment.

He was rearrested June 7, 2019, and charged with two more counts of sexual assault. A further 10 charges of sexual assault were laid on June 26.

None of the allegations have been proven in court.


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