A former Saskatoon massage therapist accused of sexual assault told police he expected clients to speak up if they were uncomfortable, as the Crown played video of his police interview at trial. Kenneth Braun, 70, is accused of three counts of sexual assault and one count of sexual exploitation of a young person while in a position of trust or authority. The charges stem from allegations dating from 1996 to 2022. The complainants cannot be identified due to a publication ban. The Crown’s first witness was Sgt. Leslie Van den Beuken, a former member of the Saskatoon Police Service’s sex crimes unit. Van den Beuken testified that she called Braun in May 2022, told him she was investigating sexual assault allegations and asked him to come to the police station for questioning. The Crown then played video of her initial interview with Braun. In the video, Braun said he had been a massage therapist for nearly three decades and operated out of his garage, which he converted into a studio. Van den Beuken questioned him about an appointment with a first-time client, including allegations he pulled down her underwear without consent and used a vibrating device between her buttocks. Braun told police the device was used to help work on muscles and that he would not use it if a client said no. He also told Van den Beuken clients typically spoke up if they were uncomfortable, and that removing their underwear was common practice if they wanted the area massaged. “If somebody doesn’t like something, they’ll say something,” he said in the video. Van den Beuken told Braun the client had a panic attack after the appointment and was taken to get medical help. Braun told her he had no sexual intent and was sorry the client felt violated. Fourteen days have been set aside for the jury trial at Saskatoon Court of King’s Bench. The Crown is expected to call the four complainants and experts in massage therapy.
