Korean instructor gets two years for groping underwater

[DandyDon]

Underwater sexual harassment gets scuba instructor two years behind bars

A scuba diving instructor has been jailed for two years for sexually molesting a female tourist during an underwater lesson.

Gwangju High Court found the instructor, 19, guilty of touching the victim's breasts in Seogwipo, Jeju, on April 2, 2017.

The instructor touched each side of the woman's breasts six times after they dived, the court was told.

The woman testified that she had been in no position to resist because her life depended on him.

The instructor claimed he had merely given her instructions. .

The victim was traumatized and received medical treatment for two months after the incident.

The instructor was also ordered to undergo 40 hours of treatment for sex offenders.

 

[KathyV]

Underwater sexual harassment gets scuba instructor two years behind bars

Undercurrent recently did an article on sexual harassment and assault in diving:

“MeToo” in the Dive Industry: Undercurrent 05/2018

 

[JamesBon92007]

When my ex-wife took her scuba class in '83 the assistants spent a lot of time adjusting the harness straps in women's crotch areas. I would call what they did "groping." I made it very clear to them not to adjust my wife's straps or anything else.

It's too bad because scuba diving is one sport that at least gave the illusion that women were included from the get-go. While it's true that many early ads showed attractive women in scuba gear, from my point of view it was more like "if you learn to dive you'll meet pretty women who also dive" rather than exploitation. There were, of course, some exceptions.

For a fellow passenger on a boat it might be difficult to ascertain if the woman is willing or not. My approach would likely be to ask her if the guy is bothering her.

 

[outofofficebrb]

@sea_otter

 

[chillyinCanada]

Sadly, more common than one would think, particularly in certain places.

#MeToo

 

[Storker]

When my ex-wife took her scuba class in '83 the assistants spent a lot of time adjusting the harness straps in women's crotch areas. I would call what they did "groping." I made it very clear to them not to adjust my wife's straps or anything else.

That seems a bit OTT to me.

Scuba diving involves some body contact. When I'm loaded down with 40kg of lead and gear, it's a lot easier to ask my buddy to help me with my crotch strap than to mess with it myself. There's also been other situations where some body contact or hand-to-body contact is almost unavoidable, particularly if you want to be fairly efficient. Having done co-ed martial arts in my youth, I'm probably less hung up about that than many are, though. When you're struggling to get a breath because your neck is locked between your opponent's thighs, what kind of body parts there are between those thighs really is one of your least concerns.

The problem is actually twofold. The worst issue - by far - is of course creeps who use the situation to grope students or buddies. But there's also an issue on the other side: how much body contact is the other person comfortable with, and when is a bona fide attempt to help interpreted as inappropriate? Sports coaches have to navigate that minefield all the time, and the key is communication. Tell the student what you'll do, why you do it and ask them every time if they're comfortable with it.

 

[xmass-Eve]

Jailed for 2 years because of touching boobs? Wow, Korea is harsh... Lots of other countries you don't get even that for rape...

 

[DreadnoughtNH]

Simple life rule that everyone, diver or not, should follow.

Don't be an a$$hole.

That's it.

Don't be an a$$hole.

If everyone followed this mantra, life would be far more pleasant.

 

[DanSinks]

Two years seems harsh for such an offense, there are plenty of women these days that grope men!
I once was getting a hair cut and the female hair stylist kept leaning over and bumping into my face with her boob! Nearly poked out my eye! But I didn't complain!

 

[Storker]

Two years seems harsh for such an offense, there are plenty of women these days that grope men!

So what? One person's offense doesn't validate someone else's.

I once was getting a hair cut and the female hair stylist kept leaning over and bumping into my face with her boob! Nearly poked out my eye! But I didn't complain!

To be more than a little stereotypical (and not just a little sarcastic): did you object? Was that a problem for you?

To become serious again: I really don't know if you're describing a serious concern. If it was, you should have complained to the person's supervisor becuase sexual harassment - regardless of the harasser's and the harasseed's (is that a word?) gender - is a serious issue and should be handled appropriately. If it wasn't and you're just being facetious, please shut the heck up.