Former business partner speaks out about Belton massage therapist accused of indecent, sexual assault at business - KCENTV.com

[massage]

There have been three clients that have accused DeMarr Thomas, owner of The Retreat Therapeutic Massage in Belton, of either indecent or sexual assault.


BELL COUNTY, Texas — The former business partner of a Belton massage therapist who has been accused of assaulting clients is speaking to 6 News about the allegations and the protocols in place to regulate the massage therapy program in Texas.


DeMarr Thomas is accused of indecent assault against a client in June. It is the third allegation he's faced from clients in the past two years. The others include another indecent assault and sexual assault.


Thomas owns The Retreat Therapeutic Massage in Belton. It's where his former business partner Kacie Owens also started with him.


"It makes me sad to think that things were going on and I had no idea," Owens said. "I didn't see those warning signs. I've actually had some clientele come through here who didn't feel things were appropriate [at The Retreat]. They felt awkward and didn't think that it was a good place to be, so they were looking for somewhere else to go and they didn't give me details, but they were uncomfortable with the therapist in question."


Owens said ever since Thomas' first arrest, she's been trying to communicate with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). The TDLR is the state agency that regulates the massage therapy program in Texas. A spokesperson for the TDLR told 6 News they did file a cease and desist order against Thomas, but they can't revoke any licenses until the court process plays out.


Owens thinks the state needs to change protocols to better protect the program and the consumer.


"I definitely think there's got to be a better way to regulate that," Owens said. "I know from their perspective you're innocent until proven guilty, but I also don't think that we need to trust them to be out on their own without either stipulations. I think that they need to have a frozen period of time and so that investigation can go through. I don't think that they should be able to work until they are gone to trial just to prevent any other situations from happening."


Owens is also a massage therapist instructor. The recent allegations have changed her perspective and also how she thinks she should teach.


"Knowing that this is happening and it was legit, he does have a license, he does have an establishment license -- it makes me change how I have to teach the ethics," Owens said.


Owens also advises clients to do their research and look for warning signs.


"If at any point you go into an establishment and you don't feel that level of comfort and you don't feel those boundaries are given, then you could just go ahead and walk out," Owens explained. "It's all supposed to be in writing. You shouldn't have any questions about what your safety is."


Consumers seeking a massage are urged to check the TDLR website before their session to confirm that the establishment and massage therapist are licensed. They are also urged to check the administrative orders database for any disciplinary actions taken against them in the past two years.


"It's important to realize that not one person justifies the entire system," Owens said. "There are some who think that they can get away with it or don't think they're doing anything wrong because they have groomed that person to think that. I just don't want people to realize or to think that this is how everyone is."


Anyone who believes they were sexually assaulted during a massage therapy session should immediately report it to law enforcement and also file a complaint with the TDLR. You can file a complaint here.


The TDLR has also provided some tips for consumers on what they can look for to best protect themselves during massages.


More from 6 News:




Adblock test (Why?)