S'pore woman claims male TCM therapist touched her breast during session

A woman claimed that she was touched inappropriately by a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) male therapist during a session.

The woman, May, went to see the male massage therapist on Feb. 4, her sister, Susan, told Stomp.

The establishment, Gong Fang Tang TCM, has outlets at Kinex Mall and along East Coast Road.

The therapist allegedly spent "an excessive amount of time" on May’s armpit and upper chest areas, Susan claimed.

He then apparently moved closer to May's chest.

When the session was about to end, the therapist allegedly touched May’s stomach without her consent when she was seated.

He then allegedly touched her breast after moving his hand past her armpit area.

Was uncomfortable

May apparently showed her discomfort multiple times throughout the massage.

She had apparently tried to cover herself and pushed his hand away.

May was "shocked, unsafe and disturbed" when she left, her sister claimed.

Not new to the shop

The family had been patronising the shop since 2023, and utilised the services of the same male therapist, who behaved normally previously.

Susan alleged that the male therapist was “overly familiar” on the day of the alleged incident.

He allegedly also made “personal comments” about May’s appearance that day and called her “very pretty” and the “prettiest customer”.

He also “repeatedly asked her to sleep”.

May’s family made a police report.

Susan even sent Gong Fang Tang TCM three emails, but did not get a response.

Business responded

A representative from Gong Fang Tang TCM told Stomp on Mar. 27 via email that they were unable to comment as police investigations were underway.

In a second email, the establishment said it had stop directing "any female customer job" to the male therapist.

A third email, an hour later, claimed that Gong Fang Tang “did not receive any complaint from the customer about this incident at all” until they found out when police started to investigate.

The male therapist was stopped from working for a few days and not allowed to attend to female customers until a further investigation report came out, the business continued.

As of Mar. 31, the business said the male therapist has been "admonished" and told to be mindful when interacting with customers "under any circumstances".

The company said it would dismiss the therapist and report him to the police should such a case happen again.

Police not taking action

The police confirmed on Apr. 7 that investigations into a 42-year-old man for an alleged offence of criminal force have concluded.

The police, in consultation with the Attorney-General’s Chambers, are not taking further action.

Top photos via Google Maps & Unsplash