Vernon chiropractor charged with sex assault had practice restrictions a year ago

The B.C. College of Chiropractors put restrictions on a Vernon chiropractor recently charged with sexual assault one year ago, although it appears it didn't bother to tell the public.

The College of Chiropractors of B.C. registrar Michelle Da Roza told iNFOnews.ca that Dr. Murray Kievit has been prohibited from treating female patients unless there is a chaperone present since Jan. 27, 2022.

However, according to the College's website, Dr. Kievit has "full status" to practice and there is no mention that any restrictions have been put on him.

It's also unclear what mechanisms are in place to make sure Kievit adheres to the chaperone requirement.

READ MORE: Vernon chiropractor was tried, acquitted of sexual assault 25 years ago

Kievit owns the White House Wellness Centre and there is no statement on its website that the 58-year-old has restrictions on his licence.

Kievit was charged in November last year with two counts of sexual assault, which allegedly took place two days apart in December 2021.

It also appears that the alleged victim was a patient because College said it began an investigation into Kievit two days after the alleged sexual assault took place.

The College said that in January 2022 Kievit "voluntarily entered" into an undertaking not to "engage in consultation with, or examination or treatment of, any female patient unless there is a chaperone present throughout that consultation, examination or treatment."

The College said the condition will remain in effect until the complaint is resolved.

News of Kievit's charges shocked many in the community as over the last two decades he appears to have amassed a loyal customer base.

However, he has been disciplined by the regulator twice before in response to similar allegations.

In 2009 the regulator made him pay costs of almost $5,000 after he put his hands in the front of a patient's pants without her consent.

He was ordered to have a chaperone present for two years when treating female patients involving sexually sensitive areas.

More seriously, he was also charged with sexual assault in the late nineties after six women came forward.

The case went to trial, and Kievit was acquitted in 2000.

The College did then take did take disciplinary action against him following the charges.

One of the alleged victims from the late nineties says the College told her not to go to the police and that it would deal with the issue in-house.

The College strongly denies the allegation and says it would never discourage a police investigation into a chiropractor.

Kievit is next due in court in March.

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