As of this writing, five women have come forward to accuse Phillip Lewis of sexual misconduct. He is an RMT member and massage therapist living in Ballarat, Victoria. The accusations describe sexual harassment and extraneous touching during treatment sessions at his massage therapy practice. Lewis has vigorously denied all the allegations, claiming instead that he was targeted inappropriately.
These allegations arose against the backdrop of documented misconduct within the local massage business. This industry has shielded itself for too long against criticism of its lack of oversight and regulation. Complaints against Lewis have led to an outpouring of testimony that would raise serious concerns about his practices. They also call into question the ability of clients to safely access therapeutic services.
Allegations and Responses
The five women who have made misconduct allegations paint a picture of questionable behavior from Lewis, spanning from unwanted sexual advances to drunken intimidation. Annie, one of the complainants, recounted a truly horrifying experience. She explained how Lewis measured her bra straps and then told her that her bra should be better than her husband’s bra.
Katie Van Egmond painted an unforgettable and vivid experience. She alleged that Lewis fondled her genitals for four different instances while getting a massage. She expressed her outrage, saying, “You don’t go and pay a professional to help you with an injury to be treated like that — it’s disgusting.”
Mikayla, one of the women who accused Lewis, recently shared a disturbing experience on TikTok. She said he stared at her bare breasts when she turned on her back in a session. She recalled in striking detail when he proposed that she become his girlfriend. During the music festival, he sought her out to make comments on her looks.
“The conversation that was taking place while he was touching me was extremely, there’s no other word than ‘ick’,” – Annie
Lewis has since admitted wrongdoing in a former complaint, upheld by the Health Complaints Commission (HCC). Except he absolutely, positively did not do anything wrong, he insists. His protestations aside, all of the charges filed against him are valid.
“Everything was revoked — everything she claimed, we beat it and we won,” – Phillip Lewis
Even after the HCC took this action against him, Lewis still believes himself to be innocent of any wrongdoing. He went on to say that he plans to fight vigorously against the present charges.
The Impact on Victims
Lewis’s purported actions have not only created physical harm, but psychological trauma as well. Annie had a lot of anger, sadness and hopelessness. She was so let down by the lack of support given to her after publicizing her allegations.
“I didn’t … I was depleted, and I was like it’s not going to be taken seriously, no-one is listening, no-one cares,” she shared. Her sentiments resonate with a larger concern from survivors of sexual misconduct. They worry deeply about how authorities will interpret and act on their observations and complaints.
Annie added, “The lack of support is ruining my soul,” highlighting the emotional toll that such experiences can inflict on victims. She expressed sadness that she felt ignored and let down by law enforcement and regulatory agencies.
“I’ve felt extremely disappointed, I felt invisible, I felt unseen and less-than,” – Annie
The lack of regulatory oversight in the massage therapy field may contribute to an environment where inappropriate behavior can go unchecked.
Broader Context and Concerns
Phillip Lewis’s case exposes a worrying culture in Ballarat and the broader massage therapy industry. Public Account Reports have claimed that this industry continues to work in a very unregulated manner. Critics contend this absence of public oversight fosters a breeding ground for excessive actions that cross the line into illegal behavior.
Lewis’s father, Iean Lewis, has similarly been caught up in these allegations of misconduct leveled by another Rachael. This familial connection calls to mind the question of whether there may have been a larger pattern of practice behavior.
Phillip Lewis, to his detriment, is mostly known for making inflammatory remarks about social media and women’s statements about abuse. He asserted that “78% of social media is false and most of it is from females,” further complicating perceptions surrounding the allegations against him.
“Once they get a story, they keep it going because they’ve got to, otherwise they’ll be classed as a liar,” – Phillip Lewis
Such comments risk undermining the seriousness of the allegations he faces. This victim-blaming attitude can leave those who are most at-risk of being victims further scared to report.
