A woman is suing a rape crisis organization because she claims it made her feel too uneasy to talk and gave her a panic attack when a transgender woman attended the same support meeting as her.
The claimant, who goes by the identity “Sarah,” was assaulted as a youngster by a family acquaintance and as an adult by a guy she knew.
The mother-of-two claims that she was forced to quit attending the Survivors’ Network meetings in the end and is suing the Brighton-based organization for indirect discrimination, victimization, and harassment.
The litigation will serve as a test case for the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s (EHRC) recently amended advice governing transgender people’s access to specific services.
The EHRC stated in April that single sex services can be provided in specific locations, such as hospital wards or changing rooms, that “prevent, limit, or modify” the attendance of transgender people if it is “a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim” and balances the needs of service users.
However, Sarah’s attorney, Kate Lea, stated to the BBC that additional clarity from the courts is required on the subject, adding, “We regard this very much as a test case.” We require more direction in this regard.
She added: ‘We recognise that there are really difficult decisions to be made by service providers.’
Survivors’ Network, according to Sarah, who is now in her mid-40s, should have provided distinct organizations for trans and cisgender victims. Sarah said, “I think my lawsuit is about women’s rights.”
The Brighton-based organization, however, has stated that it would contest the assertion since trans women “are welcome into all of our women-only areas,” and that Sarah was aware of their gender-inclusive policy when she first started going there.
Sarah’s attorneys contend that by providing sessions that were only open to women who were born female, the charity fell short of meeting the requirements of all victims of sexual assault.
The Equality Act is being invoked in the legal proceeding.
Sarah said: ‘I think women have sex-based rights and protections and these are under threat at the moment from trans activism.’
Sarah said she had been benefitting from the sessions before a new member arrived presenting as typically male and donning stereotypically male clothing.
‘I was a bit taken aback. I decided I wasn’t going to speak that week because I wasn’t comfortable,’ she said.
‘I don’t trust men because I have been raped by a man. I’ve been sexually abused by men. And I just don’t necessarily trust that men are always who they say they are.’
Despite being uncomfortable, she claims the person running the session asked her to speak to the group.
‘I felt manipulated and coerced into talking,’ she said. ‘When I left the session I had a panic attack, I was absolutely distraught.’
Survivors’ Network told the BBC it has yet to receive any documents pertaining to the legal action.
It rejected Sarah’s suggestion that she was forced to speak to the group, saying every survivor is given a handbook which clearly states they should only talk if they feel comfortable.
It added: ‘In both the assessment and in the handbook, it is explained that all women, including trans women, are welcome in the women’s only group.
‘The claimant was made aware of Survivors’ Network’s trans-inclusive position prior to attending the group.’
The charity has been approached by MailOnline for a response.
Despite not being anti-trans, Sarah claimed that the presence of a trans woman altered the dynamic and mood of the support group.
I think it’s wonderful that trans survivors feel like there is a secure place for them to go and get support, she added. However, a mixed-sex environment doesn’t work for me.
I believe the solution would be to create just one more category just for women who are born feminine.
In a statement, Survivors’ Network said: “Continued service delivery to survivors of sexual assault and abuse is of utmost significance. We want to reassure all our existing survivors and anybody seeking help that we are still here for them.”
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex paid a high-profile visit to Survivors’ Network in 2018, which was founded in 1990 by former child abuse victims, in recognition of its efforts. The government, local governments, and the NHS pay for it.
Its chief executive Jay Breslaw opposed imposing restrictions on single-sex areas in written testimony to a Commons select committee in 2020, noting that her organization “strongly feel that the usage of women-only places by trans women should be actively promoted.”
Sarah previously told of her ordeal to the Mail on Sunday last November.
In a statement at the time, Survivors’ Network said: ‘We are a feminist organisation and we support survivors of all genders.
‘Survivors of trauma and sexual violence, irrespective of gender identity, need support, care and belief. With 30 years of expert knowledge, we are well equipped to offer this in a safe, survivor-led and empowerment-based way.
‘Trans-inclusive feminism is key to our values and central to our services as a rape crisis centre.’