Eight year ban for BC massage therapist who ‘pinched and licked’ former student

A BC massage therapist who “pinched and licked” a woman’s nipple during treatment has been barred from practicing for eight years.

He’s also on the hook for $15,000.

According to a recently published April 21 College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC decision, Raja Ramaswamy sexually assaulted the woman during a massage in April 2021.

The woman had visited Ramaswamy at his home for a massage. She consented to the breast massage, but Ramaswamy then “pinched and licked” her nipple.

The victim knew Ramaswamy from when he was her instructor at the West Coast College of Massage Therapy in 2018 and 2019.

Six months after the incident, the Surrey-based massage therapist was charged with sexual assault and pleaded not guilty. 

However, in 2023, a BC Provincial Court Judge found him guilty and sentenced him to six months house arrest followed by probation.

In August 2021, the massage therapy regulator put restrictions on his licence and prohibited Ramaswamy from treating female patients. In September 2025, Ramaswamy surrendered his license to practice.

“As sexual assault had been proven beyond a reasonable doubt in the criminal trial, the (College) accepted this finding as a binding and conclusive result in its own hearing,” the decision reads.

Ramaswamy didn’t appear at a hearing to decide what sanctions he should face from the regulator. 

The College said that he wouldn’t evade disciplinary sanctions because he is no longer licensed and ordered him to pay a $5,000 fine plus $10,000 costs.

He is also prohibited from reapplying for his license for eight years.