A shadow hangs over the quiet community of Candiac, Quebec, as a judge prepares to deliver a sentence that will determine the fate of François Delorimier Vallières, a former massage therapist whose hands betrayed the trust placed in him.
Vallières, 47, stands accused of a profound violation – the sexual assault of sixteen clients and the clandestine recording of their most vulnerable moments. Hidden cameras, concealed within the walls of his home-based practice, captured images that shattered the privacy and dignity of those who sought healing and relief.
The Crown is demanding a nine-year prison sentence, a stark consequence for the years of abuse that unfolded between 2015 and 2020. They propose seven years for the assaults themselves, with an additional two years for the chilling voyeurism that compounded the betrayal.
Defense lawyer Martin Latour vehemently contests this severity, pointing to a similar case involving another therapist, Jean-François Morrison, who received a seven-year sentence for assaulting twenty individuals – a case that included rape and a minor victim. Latour argues the Crown appears to have built upon Morrison’s sentence, escalating the punishment without justification.
“How did we arrive at nine years?” Latour questioned, emphasizing the crucial distinction: his client did not rape anyone, nor were any of the victims underage. He insists the precedents suggest a sentence falling between two and four years, even proposing a term as low as two years less a day.
The judge, however, remained unmoved by the defense’s arguments, acknowledging the weight of the case and the need for careful consideration. She set January 23rd as the date for her final decision, a date that looms large for both the accused and his victims.
Last year, Vallières pleaded guilty to sixteen counts of sexual assault and nine counts of voyeurism, admitting to recording clients in states of undress, exploiting their vulnerability for his own perverse gratification. The abuse wasn’t isolated; some women were victimized repeatedly during appointments held in the privacy of his basement.
The investigation began in 2019, sparked by the courage of a woman who reported the abuse to local authorities. Another complaint followed in 2020, confirming a disturbing pattern. A public appeal for more victims led to a flood of harrowing accounts, prompting the Sûreté du Québec to take over the investigation.
A search of Vallières’s residence revealed a disturbing arsenal: five hidden cameras, boxes meticulously altered to conceal their presence, and fourteen videos documenting the violations. The evidence painted a grim picture of calculated deception and predatory behavior.
Vallières, who began practicing massage therapy in 2014 while training in osteopathy – a field that can involve sensitive areas of the body – justified his actions by claiming disrobing simplified the treatment process. Some clients reluctantly agreed, while others immediately felt uneasy.
But the requests quickly escalated beyond professional boundaries. He probed into their personal lives, whispered inappropriate comments, and initiated unwanted physical contact. One early victim, seeking treatment for a post-surgical scar, found herself subjected to unwanted breast and vaginal touching, initially believing it was part of the therapy.
Similar patterns emerged in subsequent cases. Women seeking relief from fibromyalgia or swelling found their appointments hijacked by prolonged breast massages and invasive procedures disguised as lymphatic drainage. In one instance, a woman endured five minutes of unwanted breast massage.
The details are a stark reminder of the insidious nature of abuse, the way trust can be weaponized, and the lasting trauma inflicted upon those who dared to seek help from a supposed healer. The judge’s decision will not only determine Vallières’s fate but will also send a powerful message about accountability and the protection of vulnerable individuals.
