More restrictions have been placed on a Vernon physiotherapist facing numerous charges of sexual assault.
Stephan Witvoet is currently facing 14 charges.
A trial has already begun on the two original charges stemming from incidents in 2015 and 2016.
In May, police filed two more charges against Witvoet and RCMP made a public plea for any more victims to come forward.
Since then, 10 more charges have been filed.
The College of Physical Therapists of B.C. has placed a list of restrictions on Witvoet including:
- being prohibited from treating female patients (of any age);
- being prohibited from holding himself out or acting in his capacity as a physical therapist outside the clinical setting towards females;
- He must keep a door or curtain open at all times when treating male patients;
- 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, must post a notice in a conspicuous place in the reception area and treatment room(s) confirming his prohibition from providing treatment to female patients;
- He must submit a monthly list to the College of patient names and confirm the male genders to whom he has provided physical therapy services;
- He must submit to, and cooperate with, random site-based audits, at the College’s discretion, to ensure his ongoing compliance with the terms
Once the college was informed of the charges against Witvoet it launched an investigation and stated on is website the “alleged conduct would, if proven, constitute professional misconduct.
“The inquiry committee was satisfied that there is a prima facie case of professional misconduct as well as a real risk to the public, which requires that the public be protected by an interim order during the investigation. The Inquiry Committee was satisfied that the risk to the public will be protected in a sufficient and proportionate manner through the imposition of practice limits and conditions as described.”
Witvoet is scheduled to be in a Vernon courtroom July 10 for a continuation of a trial that started in May on the original two charges.
Since then, 12 more charges have been filed.
- Darren Handschuh, Castanet
