Stephen Witvoet is now facing 16 sexual assault charges after two more charges were added on Aug. 6, 2019.
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August 23, 2019 - 6:00 PM
VERNON - A Vernon physiotherapist is facing two more charges of sexual assault after two more victims have come forward to police.
Stephen Witvoet is now facing 16 sexual assault charges after two more charges were added Aug. 6.
Witvoet was originally arrested and charged with two counts of sexual assault in December 2017 for incidents alleged have happened in July 2015 and November 2016. The allegations stem from patients undergoing treatment. Witvoet pleaded not guilty to these two charges May 21.
On June 10, the 47-year-old was re-arrested and charged with two counts of sexual assault for incidents alleged to have taken place between September 2015 and January 2016.
Following the arrest, RCMP released a media statement stating there may be more potential victims as Witvoet had been practising in Vernon for 14 years and urged victims to come forward to police. By the end of June Witvoet was facing another 10 charges of sexual assault.
The two lastest charges were laid Aug. 6, taking the total number of charges against him to 16. The latest charges are alleged to have taken place between June 2009 and April 2018.
Witvoet practised out of the Thrive Physiotherapy and Sport Injury Clinic in Vernon. The clinic's website now appears to have been taken down.
In July, the College of Physical Therapists imposed conditions on Witvoet prohibiting him from treating female patients of any age and stating he must keep a door or curtain open at all times when treating male patients, along with other restrictions.
None of the charges have been proven in court.
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