Serial rapist Larry Takahashi received a massage from a female massage student at a Salvation Army halfway house this week. Now, the Victoria police and Takahashi’s parole officer are at odds over whether the incident could send him back to prison.

Takahashi signed up to receive a massage from students of the West Coast College of Massage therapy, said police spokesman Bowen Osoko. The massage occurred while Takahashi was fully clothed, sitting in a chair and in a group setting, under supervision.

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A student in her 20s did not know until after the fact that she was massaging a convicted felon, dubbed the Balaclava Rapist after dozens of sex attacks in Edmonton from 1979 to 1983. The student’s mother was extremely concerned and Victoria police were made aware of the incident.

“We’ve been informed there was a chair massage that occurred as part of a program that involves that school,” Osoko said. “When we were made aware of this concern, our immediate reaction was shock.”

The department’s high-risk offender officer, Det. Const. Shawn Robson, called Takahashi’s parole officer to ask if signing up for a massage meant parole conditions had been breached.

Takahashi is required to report all interactions with females to his parole officer. “Currently, our understanding is the parole officer does not believe he’s in breach,” Osoko said.

Victoria police can’t investigate because it happened inside a halfway house, which is out of their jurisdiction, he said. “There are some serious questions that need answering here as to how this could even occur.”

Amy Singh, the massage college’s Victoria campus director, refused to say whether the college has received a complaint from the student or whether there will be changes to services offered at the Salvation Army.

“WCCMT has worked with the Salvation Army for the past two years as part of our outreach program,” the college said in a statement. “Students offer chair massage to fully clothed patients in a group setting under the supervision of a [registered massage therapist] and a social worker employed by the Salvation Army.”

Kathie Chiu, executive director with the Salvation Army, would not comment on the incident or confirm Takahashi is staying at its halfway house. Chiu said the massage program takes place once a week in the halfway house.

“I am not aware of any problems that they [students] have had coming here,” Chiu said. “Students are aware of the type of individuals that are staying in the [halfway house].”

She would not say whether certain offenders such as those with a history, of sex offences are barred from massages.

Takahashi was released on a 60-day unescorted temporary absence. According to parole documents, even though Takahashi has a moderate to high risk to reoffend, parole board members believe that risk can be managed in the community.

He was released so he could participate in a substance abuse program.

Takahashi is serving three life sentences plus 73 years after admitting to raping 30 women in Edmonton.

Victoria police issued an alert that Takahashi is in the community and have received hundreds of calls from people expressing concern about his release.

kderosa@timescolonist.com