There’s nothing like sporting a cute outfit for an exhilarating gym session. Exercise can have amazing benefits for our mental and physical health — but not when there’s a creepy man snapping pictures. That’s right, one woman got a very intrusive surprise when she discovered that a man was taking secret pictures of her while she was working out. Stephanie Lim took this cringe-worthy experience over to TikTok to forge a discussion on the importance of speaking up when situations like this occur. Although it was scary, Lim is determined to use her experience to protect others the best she can.
People go to the gym to feel good.
For many, the gym is a space for fitness, style, and community. People gather in pursuit of the mutual goal to lead healthier lives, at least in theory. There are both gym policies and ethics that people are expected to follow, but not everyone does. This can create danger and distrust in an environment meant to help people reach their potential.
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Stephanie Lim had her privacy violated at the gym.
Lim, a 22-year-old nursing student from California, was all ready for a productive day at the gym, when she got an unpleasant surprise. When she went to wash her hands after finishing up her gym session, another woman approached her with a serious warning. While Lim was working out earlier, a man was snapping pictures of her body without her consent.
She took to TikTok to tell her story.
Lim’s TikTok video begins by showing the outfit she was wearing before she found out the guy was taking pictures, and then the hoodie she changed into after she found out he was sneaking photos. She captioned it with, “Please be safe out here ladies.. I would have never thought this would ever happen to me but it did.”
She reluctantly reported the man.
While Lim was frightened by the situation and nervous about reporting such inappropriate behavior, she didn’t want it to happen to anyone else. She’s seen TikTok videos in which women record themselves confronting men after being violated and admires the women bold enough to speak up when it’s difficult. So, she decided to speak out too and tell gym staff, rather than confronting the man herself.
She started to cry.
There are some people that are quick to action when they’re mistreated, while others are more timid. Confronting someone that may cause even more harm can be some terrifying business. Lim decided to allow her viewers to see her in a vulnerable state as she cried when telling the gym staff what happened to her. This is a reminder that it’s normal and okay to feel scared even when doing something quite brave.
The gym will never be the same for Lim.
The gym was once a safe place for Lim, but this situation has turned her world upside down. She explained in her video that she can’t feel confident anymore in a space where she’s been targeted. She calls out the issue of men being unable to respect women in the shared space and wishes for change.
People are supporting her in the comments.
With over 3,000 comments, 527,000 likes and 2.6-million views, Lim’s experience has resonated with many. Several comments came from other women who have been through similar experiences. They feel Lim’s pain, sympathize with her struggle and wish for things to change. It’s not just this occurrence, but the entire culture of misogyny that create these common experiences among women.
The comments have spoken, more girl gyms needed
Many commenters have voiced the same hopes for more “all girls” gyms where men aren’t allowed in. This would be a way for women like Lim and others to reclaim the fitness space and feel confident and welcomed. However, this doesn’t absolve gyms from protecting anyone in need of help. Fortunately, for Lim, the gym staff at her facility were very helpful.
Lim shows the man at the end of the video.
Just as her video is about to end, Lim shares footage from the gym of the man who took pictures of her. Wearing an orange hoodie, the man stands behind where Lim is, looking pretty creepy and he stares at her with his phone in hand. Lim captions this section with a warning for ladies to “please be safe.” Many people hear about situations like this, but never imagine themselves in them. Lim wants people to know that it can happen to anyone. We can only hope this creeper, among others, is met with some serious ramifications.
Let us know what you think in the comments of this cringe-worthy incident and if you feel inspired by Lim’s decision to take action.
