VANCOUVER — Police in Vancouver say their investigation into a doctor for allegedly sexually assaulting teenage female patients took years to result in charges because the suspect went to China.
Investigators who are encouraging other potential victims to come forward say 65-year-old Herman Hau Man Lee from Vancouver was arrested in November and has now been charged with sexual assault and sexual interference in both cases.
The charges come after a multi-year investigation beginning in March 2023, when police learned of a 17-year-old girl who had allegedly been assaulted by the doctor over a number of years while attending a clinic in the Chinatown neighbourhood.
Police say the investigation then uncovered another case in 2015 where the same doctor allegedly assaulted a 14-year-old girl at a clinic in Burnaby.
They say Lee is now out on bail and remains a practising physician in British Columbia, although he is not allowed to treat anyone under 16 without another adult being present.
Supt. Dale Weidman told a media briefing that investigators “had to wait” for Lee’s return from China.
“Part of it was, this Dr. Lee left the country for a period of time, so some of that time is built into his absence,” he said.
Investigators believe there may be more victims and have urged them to come forward.
“The main reason we’re here today is we’re now asking anyone else who had contact with the doctor to come forward if they want to report a crime,” said Weidman.
Weidman said it’s always a personal decision for anyone to come forward and report a sexual assault, and he understands that for some, that may take time.
“We want to assure everyone that if you do come forward, you will be met with care and compassion,” said Weidman, who added that a tip line had been arranged for potential victims.
Weidman said the investigation isn’t technically complex, but it’s difficult because officers are dealing with sexual assault victims who require lots of attention, patience, and compassion.
Leah Zille, executive director of The Treehouse Child and Youth Advocacy Centre, was also at the police news conference on Tuesday.
She said her organization would help parents and children “during some of the most difficult and stressful times of your life.”
For any victim who wanted to come forward, Zille said she would encourage them to “take advantage of the space” at Treehouse, where professionals can support them and provide counselling.
“Basically, everybody’s there to support that child or that youth and work on a plan that’s going to help them move forward in a healthy, productive way,” said Zille.
“We bring all of the professionals, the right people, that need to help figure out what happened to the child and to support the child,” she said, “so families don’t need to navigate these complex systems on their own.”
Weidman said in a statement that potential victims “will receive trauma-informed support throughout the investigative process.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 3, 2026.
Nono Shen, The Canadian Press
