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Original poster

Guy taking photos of other gym user

20 replies

ajandjjmum · 19/04/2021 12:49

DD (20's) was at the gym last weekend, and noticed a couple of guys looking at her and laughing, and then taking photos whilst she was on the treadmill.

She was angry and upset, and immediately left.

She contacted the manager of the gym (large group) who initially was very good, and said they would be subject to a lifetime ban if identified. DD did take a photo of them, but it was rushed and unclear, however, the gym manager has since phoned to say that he can identify them on CCTV.

He has offered to get them in to speak to them, but they are regulars and he clearly is not going to take any further action.

DD is of two minds. She is adamant that such sleazeballs are not going to impact her life - this happened at lunchtime (when apparently they normally visit) whereas she normally goes first thing in the morning, so she could just avoid the time they're likely to be there.

On the other hand, she feels like going in and confronting them (politely) and saying that what they have done is illegal and furthermore, could have a massive impact on a less confident woman. But she feels that being the type of person to take the photos in the first place, it's likely to make them behave differently.

The end option is change gym, but this one is particularly convenient, and why should she be controlled by losers!

Only a couple of miles from Clapham, so women are generally feeling a little sensitive at the moment.

Any thoughts? I'm ranting, but I don't think that's helping her!

OP posts:

altlife · 19/04/2021 12:52

She should be insisting the gym issue the lifetime ban, as the manager initially told her so, regulars or not

TheVolturi · 19/04/2021 12:54

Absolutely disgraceful what is happening to men!! I would kick up such a huge fuss and make sure that y they are banned, or go public. If the gym knows who they are they should be acting on it.

SpongeCakeAddict · 19/04/2021 12:56

I'd tell the gym manager that I'm reporting it to the police and that I might possibly go to the papers after that.

murbblurb · 19/04/2021 12:59

Definitely police and formal complaint, the gym will have a procedure. That is horrible, what is wrong with these sleazeballs?

Neighneigh · 19/04/2021 13:08

Definitely take it further, what's happened is absolutely not ok and other women are likely to be affected too. Tell them in writing that having been identified, if they aren't banned she will go to the police and the papers. There are plenty of people on here (me included) that can help you with journalist names etc

GoWalkabout · 19/04/2021 13:14

It might be hard to prove negative intent from the cctv. Maybe the manager realised they would be on shaky ground to ban. Are photos allowed in the gym? I would expect them to be spoken to and for her to be told any further problems please draw our attention to it immediately. She should keep going though.

CervixHaver · 19/04/2021 13:27

I wouldn't volunteer the fact that you also took a photo of them. I'm not criticising you personally but some PC type may try implying that it's swings & roundabouts (when it's clearly not the same!)

CervixHaver · 19/04/2021 13:27

*Your DD I meant, sorry

crosspelican · 19/04/2021 13:29

She should feel no hesitation in insisting on a lifetime ban. They are vile people and have no place in a gym. There are so rarely any consequences for men, no matter how far they take it.

And of COURSE they've done it before, to other women at the gym and elsewhere. How much custom has this gym already lost because of their anti-social behaviour. If they were getting drunk and rowdy, the manager wouldn't hesitate.

emilyfrost · 19/04/2021 15:01

On the other hand, she feels like going in and confronting them (politely) and saying that what they have done is illegal

She would be wrong; it’s not illegal. She’s in a public place.

If the gym has a policy against photographs being taken inside that’s another matter, but it isn’t illegal.

It’s not morally okay, of course. But if the gym doesn’t have a policy against it it’s legally fine.

PurpleMustang · 19/04/2021 15:11

No she shouldn't let it go. Looking and talking about her is one thing as that is between the 2 of them. Yes though still not ok. But the only reason to take a photo is going to be passing it on to others, what other reason could there be? They should be banned. And if the manager doesn't have the balls to do it she should complain higher up. It won't be the first time they have. And do it in writing not be calls, so there is a written chain

Tommika · 19/04/2021 17:25

It’s not illegal for them to take a photograph (and also not illegal for her to take the photograph of them)

The gym is not a public place, but a place with public access
It is up to the gym management with regard to their policy

But the other matter is the nature of the photographs. If in changing rooms etc then the right to privacy applies.
In the public areas of the gym the right to privacy does not apply by default, but it does depend on the nature of the photos.

If they are just of her exercising then it’s not pleasant but they are not illegal, and it comes down to policy (and basic human decency)
If they are of a different nature such as upskirt, down cleavage etc then that’s running into the territory of the expected right to privacy and the photos become illegal

jollygreenpea · 19/04/2021 18:44

ajandjjmum

Sorry I hope you don't mind me jumping on your thread.

A man came to do a job outside at our house, had to make several visits to complete the job.
On one of the visits I'm almost certain he took a photo, we had been chatting about the said job, I looked away of to the side then heard the noise that a phone makes when taking a photo, I looked back to see him holding his phone in the way I would expect/hold my phone but there wasn't a flash so told myself I had made the idea up.

Later on he was laughing at his phone, perhaps I had put 2+2 together to get 5 but it still made me feel shit and horrible.

I hope your DD doesn't let this go and they do ban them.

HijabiVenus · 19/04/2021 18:54

Is it a single gym or part of a chain? If part of a chain then go over the managers head. Are there active feminists groups in the area?

BashfulClam · 19/04/2021 19:05

She needs to ask how she escalated her complaint and made it clear she will be reporting it to the police and make the press aware so other women know the gym is frequented by people who take photos and the management don’t handle it.

CovidCorvid · 19/04/2021 19:33

Problem is they’re likely to deny it and say they were looking at their phone to check their workout schedule or something. I’ve never been in this situation but I think the best thing is to try and call them out on it at the time...say to them “hope you’re not taking photos of me because it looks like you are”. They’d still deny it but might put them off. I appreciate though it’s easier said than done.

emilyfrost · 19/04/2021 19:39

made it clear she will be reporting it to the police

@BashfulClam Report what to the police? No crime has been committed here. It’s not illegal to take photos of others in public places.

bonfireheart · 19/04/2021 19:41

My gym has signs saying you can't take photos and it's part of the T&Cs when you sign up.
Tell DD to ask the manager when their lifetime ban starts so she can revisit the gym. If he refuses, then I would share this on their social media channels, ensuring that they are copied in.

Original poster

ajandjjmum · 19/04/2021 20:37

Thank you to everyone who has responded, for the information you've given and the general support. Much appreciated.

The gym is part of a low cost national group, and this particular one is a couple of miles away from Clapham Common.

Initially the manager was great - spoke about a lifetime ban, and suggested DD called the police for advice. He since seems to have rowed back, and while sympathetic, is offering nothing except a 'talking to' for the guys. It's certainly worth asking what their policy is regarding photographs - particularly as DD has found out that someone made a similar complaint within the last couple of weeks.

@jollygreenpea Sorry you had similar - so unsettling, nomatter how confident you are.

@CovidCorvid We both think to call them out there and then would have been the best action, but hindsight is a wonderful thing! Also, I think DD wondered if she was over-reacting, which she obviously wasn't, but we can all doubt ourselves.

What sort of people do this? Hopefully we are all raising our sons to be respectful and courteous towards women (and men), and sensitive towards their feelings. Have to say, the many men I've spoken to have all be unanimous in their condemnation for these low-lifes.

Will keep you posted.

OP posts:

99victoria · 19/04/2021 20:53

I'm a member at a low cost national chain and there are signs up everywhere saying 'mobile phones should not be used in the gym'. Members are allowed to have them on their person to listen to music etc but not supposed to 'use' them as such so would be challenged if they took or made a call or were seen to be taking photos etc.

It's definitely worth checking her gym's phone policy

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