Special Feature: #NoExcuse

Karen Finnie, fourth year Religious studies student at the University of Edinburgh writes an article about a recent case of sexual harassment from a member of the Pleasance Gym team.

#NoExcuse unless you’re on the pay roll

Edinburgh University is an advocate for zero tolerance on sexual harassment and sexual assault, however in December 2018 the manager of the University gym ‘Pleasance,’ sent a shocking message to the staff group chat. When a woman booked in for a slot at the gym and did not show the next day, the staff discussed a way in which to discipline the client, so she doesn’t waste their time again. Mr Ross Brain, who is the manager of this gym, stated in the group chat ‘lets rape her. Or give her the choice of 600 burpees or rape.’ When his comment was ignored, Ross followed up by saying ‘no one up for this then?’

As a student at the university and as a member of the pleasance gym, these remarks are not only disgusting but also worrying. Back in January, Felix Beck, an undergraduate at the University, was jailed for carrying out a ‘callous’ sexual assault on a teenager during his time at the university. With this harrowing assault taking place during Felix’s time at the university it is no surprise that there have been a lot of voices surrounding sexual assault at this time. With the growth of the #NoExcuse movement here on the campus it is astonishing that the university seems to have not only brushed this incident under the rug, but they have done little to nothing to resolve this matter.

The public became aware of the Ross Brain situation on the 22/04/19, almost four months after the incident took place. If the university is such an advocate for providing a safe environment for their students and having a strict zero tolerance policy on sexual harassment and sexual assault, it is astonishing to discover that this incident has had little to no consequences.

By allowing this man to continue to work at the University of Edinburgh gym, the University itself is not only setting a bad example, but they are also allowing these forms of ‘jokes’ to go unquestioned. By allowing people to ‘joke’ about sexual harassment/assault we are saying that these jokes are okay, and that sexual harassment and assault are things that the University does not concern itself with. Knowing that he is working within the facility is an uncomfortable feeling, not only for the students but also the other staff. Some of the female staff at the Pleasance gym have discussed quitting their jobs because of the lack of action taken with regards to this situation.

As members of the University and of wider society in Edinburgh, it is important that our voices are heard. To know that someone is still working for the university after making such disgusting and shocking remarks is not only horrific but concerning for the Universities lack of action taken. No one should be able to ‘joke’ about rape or sexual harassment/assault and be able to go back to their job, unscathed.

If you would like to get involved and tell the University of Edinburgh how you feel about members of their staff making ‘joking’ remarks with regards to rape and sexual harassment then please do not hesitate to email the Principal of the university at principal@ed.ac.uk and also the university secretary Sarah Smith at s.j.smith@ed.ac.uk