Former chiropractor Dr. Ian Rossborough is a convicted sex offender after the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court found him guilty of four counts of sexual assault and grooming of a child aged 16 to 17. According to court records and reporting, Rossborough was sentenced to a two-year Community Correction Order and has surrendered his professional registration to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
Sarah Rose and the Grooming of Young Dancers
Sarah Rose, now 25, first met Rossborough when she was 10 years old. She was an aspiring ballerina seeking treatment for a torn hamstring resulting from a rigorous training regimen. Rossborough had established a reputation in Melbourne’s elite dance circles as a “Mr. Fix-It” for injuries, according to Rose.
Rose reports that Rossborough groomed her by praising her maturity and discipline, claiming he wanted to help her become a professional dancer. He recommended treatments every four to six weeks. By age 14, Rossborough gave Rose his personal phone number to bypass his waiting list, texted her regularly about his divorce, and invited her to yoga classes, according to Rose.
The assault occurred when Rose was 17, shortly before she was scheduled to attend a summer program at the Washington Ballet. Rose states that Rossborough instructed her to strip naked in a sauna at a yoga studio next to his clinic under the guise of helping her lose weight. Rossborough then entered the sauna and sexually assaulted her.
Did you know? Sarah Rose experienced flashbacks of the assault in 2022 during a physical therapy session for a hip injury, which prompted her to contact police.
Additional Allegations and AHPRA Investigations
A second woman, now in her 30s, has contacted police alleging she was groomed and sexually abused by Rossborough over nearly three years as a teenager. This woman, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, stated she was referred to the chiropractor by her dance school. In a 13-page statement submitted to AHPRA, she alleges Rossborough told her, “You have the power to destroy me, if you ever tell anyone.”
AHPRA is currently conducting its own investigation into Rossborough. The second alleged victim is seeking a referral to a civil tribunal to have her allegations heard, stating that she believes Rossborough remains a threat to the community.
Prior Controversy Over Infant Spinal Manipulation
Rossborough gained international attention in 2016 after a video surfaced showing him performing spinal manipulation on a four-day-old baby. The footage showed Rossborough flexing the infant’s back and pressing on the spine to produce a cracking sound, causing the baby to cry.
The medical industry condemned the practice, citing a lack of evidence regarding the safety and efficacy of treating colic or reflux this way. While Rossborough defended his methods in a Channel Ten interview, stating the profession was “light on clinical trials” but insisting his work was not damaging, the incident led to a temporary ban on him treating children. Subsequently, chiropractors across Australia were banned from performing spinal manipulation on infants under age two.
Professional Standard: AHPRA recently confirmed that findings of sexual misconduct for over 100 healthcare practitioners have been permanently added to the national regulator’s searchable public register.
Comparison of Rossborough’s Professional Standing
| Period | Professional Status/Reputation |
|---|---|
| Early Career | Known as “Mr. Fix-It” among Melbourne’s elite dancers. |
| 2016 | Global outrage over newborn spinal cracking; temporarily banned from treating children. |
| Present | Convicted sex offender; registration surrendered to AHPRA. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Ian Rossborough’s sentence?
The Melbourne Magistrates’ Court sentenced him to a two-year Community Correction Order.
Is Ian Rossborough still practicing as a chiropractor?
No. He was suspended by AHPRA last year and has surrendered his registration.
Who is Sarah Rose?
Sarah Rose is a former patient of Rossborough and a current dance teacher in Sydney who spoke publicly about being groomed and assaulted by him as a teenager.
If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual assault, support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) or Lifeline (13 11 14).
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