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Massage Envy is the largest massage therapy chain in the U.S. They have over 20,000 therapists working across the country. People go there for different services like massages, facials, and even stretching.
When you go in for a massage, you usually enter a private room, close the door, and get comfortable while a licensed therapist works on you. The setting feels safe, but unfortunately, for many women, the sense of safety they felt was quickly shattered.
Since 2015, hundreds of women have been a part of Massage Envy sexual assault lawsuits. This is because they were sexually assaulted during their massages at various Massage Envy locations. These assaults have ranged from groping and inappropriate touching to even more severe forms of sexual assault, such as actual penetration.
The Tara Woodley Case
Back in September 2024, a woman named Tara Woodley went to Massage Envy in Washington, D.C., expecting a relaxing and soothing experience, but instead, she was sexually assaulted.
According to Woodley, she was getting a massage when the therapist, Habtamu Gebreselassie, took things way too far. According to Woodley, Gebreselassie removed the sheet covering her body and sexually assaulted her. She immediately pulled the sheet back and demanded he leave.
After that, she called 911, and police quickly arrived. Gebreselassie was arrested and charged with sexual abuse, but this wasn’t the first time he’d done something like this.
Woodley spoke out about the incident to protect others. She shared that Gebreselassie had been repeatedly targeting women each month. She wanted her case to be the one that stopped him from attacking anyone else. She came forward not just to get justice for herself but also to make sure that other women wouldn’t face the same trauma she did.
BuzzFeed News reported that more than 180 women have come forward with allegations of sexual assault at Massage Envy locations across the U.S. But the real number is likely much higher.
More Sexual Assault Cases Against Massage Envy
There have been several shocking cases of sexual assault in Massage Envy locations. One of the most recent cases was in Houston, Texas, in November 2024, where a former Massage Envy worker filed a lawsuit.
She claimed that the company put her in danger by hiring a male therapist who had a history of sexual misconduct. This was just one of many similar stories.
In Fort Worth, Texas, a woman claimed that a male therapist digitally penetrated her during her massage. This isn’t an isolated case either. In September 2023, two women filed lawsuits against a Massage Envy franchise in Conroe, Texas.
Both said they were assaulted by the same male therapist. One of the women even contracted a sexually transmitted infection (HSV-1) from the attack. The therapist was arrested and charged with felony sexual assault, and the case was settled for $1 million.
Massage Envy’s Culture of Silence
One of the most troubling parts of this whole situation is that Massage Envy, as a company, has been aware of these sexual assault allegations for years.
In fact, according to some reports, the company’s employee handbook has even stated that “only 4% of upset customers will tell you when there is a problem.” This is just a glaring proof of their lack of urgency when it comes to taking complaints seriously.
If you have found yourself a victim of sexual assault at Massage Envy, you owe yourself the duty of holding the accountable party liable and getting compensation. And there is no better person to help you in achieving this than a competent sexual assault lawyer.
