Calgary social-worker therapist charged with sexually assaulting a client

Calgary police have charged a 76-year-old social-worker therapist with sexual assault against a femaleclient in her 30s.

Police said they first received a complaint on March 15from a woman about inappropriate sexual conduct by Johannes Gerhardus Kilian, who is registered with the Alberta College of Social Workers and authorized to perform psychosocial interventions.

The woman told police she and her husband began attending marriage counsellingwith Kilianfrom December 2012 to March 2013, at an office in the 200block of FifthAvenueS.W.

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The woman continued to attend counselling sessions by herself with the therapist as of July 2013.

Police allege that, in December 2013, the therapist started askingthe woman inappropriate sexual questions and began to sexually assault her.

The victim continued to be assaulted at numerous other appointments until April 2014, according to police.

"It's taken her a while to have the courage to come forward, but she has," said Staff Sgt. Steve Lorne.

"It's quite courageous for her to do this."

Lorne saidKilian is originally from South Africa and has been in Canada for the past 11 years.

Other possible victims encouraged to come forward

Investigators believe there may be other victimsand, if so,Lorne said it's important for them to speak with police.

"We are reaching out to the public," hesaid. "If there are any other victims, we encourage them to come forward."

Calgary police encourageall victims of sexual assault to report it to them bycallingtheirnon-emergency line at403-266-1234or by contacting Crime Stoppers anonymously.

Police saidKilianwasarrested at his downtown officeand charged withsexual assault.

He isscheduled to appear in courtMay 11.