'Chakra balancing' massage was indecent assault, court rules

Valentine Ansett, a former senior firefighter, was convicted of indecent assault and assault with indecent intent during a professional massage in Hobart on Wednesday. The court determined that the assault occurred during a chakra balancing aspect of the massage. Ansett, who has served over 30 years as a firefighter and was an acting district officer for the Tasmania Fire Service, has avoided prison time but has appealed his conviction to the Criminal Court of Appeal.

Magistrate Robert Webster ruled that Ansett's actions breached the victim's trust while she was vulnerable, causing her significant distress. The victim, a former senior firefighter, has been deeply impacted by the assault, struggling with depression and contemplating suicide. While Ansett is described as having a good character, the court found his actions to be out of character. Ansett's massage business has since closed, and his future employment prospects remain uncertain.