Brantford man who posted ad for ‘hypnosis study’ accused of sexually assaulting respondent

Many Canadians scrolled on their social media feeds during the COVID-19 pandemic which made more of them, less empathetic. This is creating a spillover effect which may be resulting in meaner attitudes in person, an associate professor at the University of Western Ontario said during a news conference with the Ontario Medical Association discussing the effects of the pandemic on mental health. A person uses a cell phone in Ottawa on Monday, July 18, 2022. (Sean Kilpatrick/THE CANADIAN PRESS)

A Brantford man is accused of sexually assaulting a woman who thought she was going to be part of a hypnosis study.

According to the Brantford Police Service, the man posted an online advertisement seeking paid participants for the project.

The 19-year-old woman replied to the ad and was told to go to a home on Grey Street, which was the accused’s residence, on the morning of Jan. 8.

She believed she was participant in a legitimate research experiment.

“While at the residence, the accused engaged in inappropriate actions toward the victim,” police said in a media release Monday. “The victim left the residence and was not physically injured.”

The 28-year-old man was arrested the following day and charged with one count of sexual assault.

“At this time, police do not believe there are additional victims,” the release said. “However, anyone who may have had a similar experience, or who has information related to this investigation, is asked to contact the Brantford Police Service at 519-756-7050.”

Anonymous tips can also be made to Brant-Brantford Crime Stoppers at 519-750-8477 or 1-800-222-8477, as well as online at www.crimestoppersbb.com/submit-a-tip/.