Woman Alleging Sexual Assault at Sonoma Mission Inn Warned by Deputies with Difficulties of the Case

After an alleged sexual assault during a massage at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn in Sonoma, a woman turned to local law enforcement to press charges, but instead of helping her press charges, they warned the woman of the difficulties of sexual assault cases. When Sonoma County sheriff’s deputies met with the victim, they appeared more focused on cautioning her about the difficulties in proving her case than getting her story, according to reporting from the San Francisco Chronicle, based on body camera footage. The victim says her experience is one of many sexual assault and misconduct incidents by spa staff at the Sonoma Mission Inn and its sister resort, the Claremont Club & Spa in Berkeley.