Gym instructor investigated for ‘burpees or rape’ remark

A UNIVERSITY gym instructor was investigated after he allegedly said a woman who failed to attend a class should be made to choose between “600 burpees or rape”.

Ross Brain was accused of sending offensive messages via Whatsapp to colleagues at the University of Edinburgh’s Pleasance sports complex.

In one alleged exchange in the staff messaging group, believed to be centred on possible forfeits for a woman who did not show up for her exercise course, Mr Brain stated: “Lets rape her. Or give her the choice of 600 burpees or rape.”

When junior staff in the group, mostly female, ignored the rape jibe, a further message, purportedly sent from Mr Brain’s account, said: “No one up for this then?”

A disciplinary investigation was launched when staff reported the messages to the university’s HR department in January, but they claim there has been a lack of action.

A source at the gym said: “It’s like they’re trying to brush it under the rug.

“People are feeling let down. The university is loud and proud about its zero tolerance policies but a lot of people want action on this – they feel abandoned.

“Staff were told there’d be an investigation in January and have heard no more.

“There are offhand sexist remarks particularly working in the fitness industry that are leftover attitudes that haven’t made their way out yet.”

A spokesman for the University of Edinburgh said: “We take incidents such as this very seriously. The use of such language is abhorrent and has no place in this university.

“We have a zero tolerance stance towards sexual harassment of any kind and are absolutely committed to providing an environment in which all members of the university community treat others with dignity and respect.

“We put significant effort into reinforcing our zero tolerance culture including through campaigns such as ‘Don’t Cross the Line’.

“While we do not comment on the detail or outcome of individual cases, we can confirm that a full disciplinary investigation has taken place in this instance.”