Think Your Gym Is Safe? Think Again. Recent Gym Sexual Assaults Reveal Dangers Of Working Out Alone

Gym-goers in Houston and throughout the United States are becoming more aware of the dangers of working out alone at the gym. The February, 2023, viral video of a sexual assault in progress of a woman in her apartment complex fitness center shocked and disturbed the nation and made many fitness enthusiasts become aware of the dangers of working out alone, especially at night. The unfortunate truth of the matter is, however, that the February, 2023, viral sexual assault incident is not an isolated incident, and many gym sexual assaults have occurred in the United States in the past several years without being cast into the public limelight. One such sexual assault incident occurred in Maryland at the hands of an 18-year-old man. The sexual assault incident shows just how prevalent such cases are in the United States and how such an attack can be perpetrated by anyone, even a young teen.

Local news reports that in October, 2022, law enforcement authorities arrested an 18-year-old man on suspicion of having perpetrated a sexual assault at a local gym in Montgomery County, Maryland. The 18-year-old man, Samba Dieng, is said to have entered an LA Fitness gym facility at around 9:30 pm in the evening on October 21 and sexually assaulted at least two women who were showering in the women’s locker room. Mr. Dieng is said to have been a member of the gym and was working out at the gym before he perpetrated the sexual assault attack in the women’s locker room. He was ultimately arrested and charged with Second-Degree Rape, Fourth-Degree Sex Offense, and two counts of Second-Degree Assault. Local law enforcement authorities note that there could be other victims, and they hope that those victims will come forward, stating, “Sometimes people may not be comfortable in coming forward if they have been a victim of a sexual assault. So [sic] because of that, we want to make sure that we put the message out there that it’s okay to come forward. The suspect is in custody and we just want to make sure that they’re able to report anything that may have happened to them.”

Speaking Out about a Sexual Assault and Getting Justice in Houston

When a sexual assault happens on a business property, such as a gym, it is important for sexual assault victims to know that there may be more than one responsible party. Under Houston premises liability laws, a sexual assault victim who has been attacked on a business property may have claims for compensation under civil laws against not just the sexual assault attacker themselves, but also the business or property owner for failing to keep the property safe.  If you have been sexually assaulted in Houston on a business property, contact the skilled and experienced Houston premises liability lawyers at the Gilde Law Firm. They offer a free and confidential consultation to see if they can help fight for you. Contact the Gilde Law Firm today and speak to a lawyer about your Houston sexual assault premises liability case for free.

Sources:

wusa9.com/article/news/crime/police-18-year-old-arrested-sexual-assault-la-fitness-montgomery-co/65-4921491e-9856-46f1-990e-8e946d1f2517

cnn.com/videos/us/2023/02/17/florida-female-bodybuilder-attacked-inside-gym-cprog-orig-aw.cnn