University gym trainer allegedly suggested woman be raped for missing class

A Scottish gym trainer has been investigated after allegedly suggesting a woman be ‘raped’ for failing to attend a training class.

Ross Brain, a senior instructor at Edinburgh University’s Sport & Exercise club, is accused of making the comment in a staff WhatsApp group shortly before Christmas.

According to the Edinburgh Evening News, the group had been discussing imposing a forfeit on a client who had signed up for a six-week training course but hadn’t turned up that day.

“Lets rape her. Or give her the choice of 600 burpees or rape,” a message that appeared to have been sent from Brain’s WhatsApp account allegedly read.

When the alleged comment was ignored by members of the chat thread, it was reportedly followed by: “No-one up for this then?”

The alleged comment was reported to the university’s HR department in January.

However, some of Brain’s colleagues at the university gym say they are disappointed by what they perceive to be a lack of action taken in response.

“It’s like they’re trying to brush it under the rug. People are feeling let down,” a source tells the Edinburgh Evening News.

One staff member is reportedly so “intimidated” by the incident she is considering leaving her role.

A spokesperson for Edinburgh University tells the Evening News the institution has a “zero tolerance” stance on “sexual harassment of any kind.”

They also said a “full disciplinary investigation” had taken place.

Brain is yet to respond publicly to the allegations.