Based on coverage from CBC and Global.
In a case that has sent ripples through the community of Burnaby, B.C., Farshad Khojsteh-Kashani, a former spa employee, has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for sexually assaulting seven women under the guise of providing cosmetic treatments. This verdict follows a B.C. Supreme Court jury's decision in April, which found him guilty on all counts of sexual assault.
The story began in 2022 when two women reported to the police that they had been sexually assaulted during treatments at Fab Skin Care, a now-closed spa on Kingsway. As the investigation unfolded, five more women came forward, each recounting similar experiences. The court heard that Khojsteh-Kashani, who had previously worked as a general practitioner in Iran, performed these treatments without being certified as a doctor in Canada. His background in medicine, however, lent him an air of authority and trustworthiness that he exploited to commit these offences.
The trial revealed disturbing details about the assaults. Khojsteh-Kashani used an 18-centimetre wand for the so-called "vaginal tightening" procedure, during which he inappropriately touched the women. He reportedly made lewd comments, asking one victim if the procedure had "turned her on" and another if she wanted him to "finish her off." Justice Lisa Warren, who presided over the case, emphasized the grave nature of his offences, noting the significant breach of trust involved.
Khojsteh-Kashani's defence argued that the allegations were misunderstandings, claiming that the complainants' accounts were illogical and that he wouldn't risk his career and personal life by committing such acts. However, the jury rejected these claims, siding with the prosecution's argument that the women were vulnerable and had trusted Khojsteh-Kashani as a medical professional.
In addition to his prison sentence, Khojsteh-Kashani has been issued a 20-year order under the Sex Offender Registration Information Act (SOIRA). While the Crown had pushed for a lifetime order, the judge settled on a two-decade term, citing his lack of a prior criminal record and low risk of reoffending. Justice Warren noted that Khojsteh-Kashani stands to lose significantly if he engages in similar criminality again, suggesting that his prospects for rehabilitation are good.
This case has highlighted significant oversight issues within the cosmetic spa industry, as pointed out by Crown prosecutor Jacinta Lawton. The lack of regulation created an environment where someone like Khojsteh-Kashani could operate unchecked, underscoring the need for stricter controls and accountability in the industry. Following the charges, Fraser Health issued a public alert urging anyone who had undergone high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatments at the spa to seek testing for sexually transmitted infections, due to concerns about improper infection control measures.
As the community grapples with the implications of this case, it serves as a stark reminder of the importance of regulatory oversight in industries where personal safety and trust are paramount. The sentencing of Khojsteh-Kashani may bring some closure to the victims, but it also opens up a broader conversation about the need for vigilance and reform in the cosmetic treatment sector.
