FWS Statement on Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre

We are saddened – if unsurprised – that Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre has been found wanting in so many respects. The Review Report lays bare the failings which have impacted the most vulnerable women. While Edinburgh RCC, undoubtedly, adopted a particularly extreme and egregious version of gender identity ideology and relentless pursued anyone who dared to question their policy of self-ID, similar issues are apparent in other centres in Scotland and in Rape Crisis Scotland itself.

Sandy Brindley has been repeatedly warned by women in the Rape Crisis Network, by survivors, and by women’s rights organisations that self-ID policies were reckless and cruel. Nevertheless, she insisted – including to a group of survivors – that men were women if they claimed a female identity, she vigorously defended Mridul Wadhwa who conducted the heresy hunt in ERCC, and she presided over the introduction of policies which included trans-identified men in women only services. In several Parliamentary appearances, she claimed that these policies did not create any problems in running rape crisis services. That has now been exposed for the lie it always was.

We believe that the problems are endemic and structural, and they cannot be resolved simply by rearranging the deckchairs at ERCC. As a matter of priority, Mridul Wadhwa must be removed from post, but those board members who presided over his tenure and defended him at Roz Adams’ tribunal must also go. We also believe that Sandy Brindley’s position is also now untenable. Fortunately, women in the Lothians have an alternative women-only service and we believe that Rape Crisis Scotland should, as a matter of urgency, confirm that Beira’s Place will be able to take on referrals. Beira’s Place should also be involved in restructuring both the local and national services. Only these measures will restore trust in this critical service. Too many women were betrayed and harmed – this must never happen again.