Trainer Who Went Viral For Groping Claims Client Consented & He's Lodging A Police Report
"Right from the beginning, I had told her about physical contact on a particular part of her body and she said that she understood and therefore, consented."
By Tamara Jayne — 07 Aug 2020, 11:01 AM
A freelance trainer in Singapore who went viral recently claims that his client had given him consent to touch her
The instructor, who goes by the name David Mesut, was contacted by AsiaOne on Wednesday, 5 August, following a video showing him groping a woman during a training session.
Cheryl Loh, another trainer, posted the video on Monday, 3 August calling out his behaviour and saying that "it is not normal" to touch a client in that manner.
According to Loh's post, the client had told Mesut to stop touching her several times but he explained that he was "checking muscles" during the sessions.
Following the incident, the gym explained that they do not tolerate such inappropriate behaviour and has since taken action against the freelance trainer
According to Loh, the woman did not want to make a police report and had already stopped her sessions with the accused. However, she did give permission for Loh to share the video to warn others.
On Wednesday, 5 August, AsiaOne reported that it had reached out to the accused and he had denied all allegations of sexual misconduct made against him
"The video was shown to me by the client and we both discussed the exercise that she was doing. She did not place any objection to any aspects of the video or the fact that there was physical contact," the trainer explained to AsiaOne.
"Right from the beginning, I had told her about physical contact on a particular part of her body and she said that she understood and therefore, consented."
He told the news portal that he would be filing a police report and is currently seeking legal advice.
A quick check on Google reveals that Mesut has since deactivated his social media profiles. However, SAYS has reached out to him through his company profile and has yet to receive comment.
Loh's video made headlines earlier this week, as she and several other personal trainers explained that it is unnecessary and unprofessional to check muscles in that manner
These Malaysian organisations aim to help survivors of rape and sexual assault:
1. WOMEN'S AID ORGANISATION (WAO)
Operating hours: 24-hour
Contact: +603-79563488
SMS/WhatsApp: +6018-9888058
Website | Facebook | Twitter
2. ALL WOMEN'S ACTION SOCIETY (AWAM)
Operating hours: Weekdays (9.30am - 4.30pm)
Contact: +603-78770224
WhatsApp: +6016-2284221 | +6016-2374221
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
3. WOMEN'S CENTRE FOR CHANGE PENANG (WCC PENANG)
Operating hours: Weekdays (9am - 5pm)
Contact: +604-2280342 | +604-3988340
WhatsApp: +6011-31084001 | +6016-4390698
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
4. SARAWAK WOMEN FOR WOMEN SOCIETY (SWWS)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (9am to 5.30pm)
Contact: +6082-422660
SMS/WhatsApp: +6013-8044285
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
5. SABAH WOMEN'S ACTION-RESOURCE GROUP (SAWO)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (9am to 2pm)
Contact: +6088-280200
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
6. PROTECT AND SAVE THE CHILDREN (PS THE CHILDREN)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (8.30am to 5.30pm)
Contact: +6016-2273065 | +6016-7213065
WhatsApp: +6016-7213065
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
