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AIBU?

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AIBU to think mixed-sex changing facilities should be limited?

63 replies

meinolini · 15/09/2026 16:43

AIBU - I read that this article and, whilst I am not surprised, I think we really must halt this movement to gender neutral facilities.

It is really disconcerting that all the crimes were in mixed sex facilities.

"Almost 100 sex crimes including rape and assaults have been recorded at swimming pools and leisure centres in Scotland, figures reveal."

“Freedom of information (FOI) reports from police involving 91 of the country’s 340 swimming pools revealed 51 incidents of voyeurism and 30 sexual offences against young girls, with 11 involving youngsters under the age of 13.
One rape was recorded, at Kirkcaldy Leisure Centre.
In addition, 25 sexual assaults and 21 other sexual offences were reported, and in total there were 81 female victims. All offences were committed between 2023 and 2025.
Incidents occurred at venues with shared facilities. No crimes were recorded at centres with single-sex facilities but incidents were reported at pools which had mixed-sex “village-style” shared showers and changing facilities.
Mary Howden, of WRN Scotland, warned local authorities must provide “safe, risk-free spaces”.
She said: “Our painstaking FOI research gave us a harrowing insight into a pattern of deeply concerning sexual offending at swimming pools and leisure centres across every part of the country.
“The overall number of offences of almost 100 is truly shocking, but what was really disturbing was the high number of offences involving young girls aged between 13 and 16. While there was a proliferation of sex offences at pools with shared shower and changing, we didn’t find a ­single offence at centres offering ­single-sex facilities."

YABU = Mixed sex changing rooms are fine
YANBU = Mixed sex facilities should be limited

OP posts:
tamade · 16/09/2026 07:27

meinolini · 16/09/2026 05:56

Honestly, your response is shocking.

So shocked that you replied twice!

Anyway those statistics speak for themselves and I should be enough to precipitate a rethink.

They probably don't tell the whole story and I think @Fidgety31 was trying to point that out. Were the offenders young, old, non binary, non-British etc?
Maybe it would be helpful to know, but the most expedient corrective action would be to ban compulsory mixed changing rooms.

meinolini · 16/09/2026 05:56

Fidgety31 · 15/09/2026 18:25

I use mixed facilities and have done for many years . Don’t have a problem with them at all.

some of those sexual assaults could be between people that were there together ? Too easy to jump to conclusions without more info tbh.

Honestly, your response is shocking.

OP posts:
Beer3000 · 15/09/2026 21:23

I have always liked these facilities, when going swimming with boys who are too old for the ladies, but too hapless to get changed on their own without losing their goggles and dropping their clothes in a puddle (~5 - 9).

Those are shocking statistics though, I've changed my mind.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 15/09/2026 20:01

It’s the same with any universal type toilets - there just needs to be no “semi private” area where people are mingling behind a closed door.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 15/09/2026 20:00

I voted YABU because i think there should always be the option of a family changing area as well - with all cubicles and with sight lines from the corridor in the walkways of it.

Mainly for the sake of parents taking their opposite sex kids in to change, but if there were sight lines through the bits that weren’t cubicles anyone could use those cubicles who felt uncomfortable elsewhere.

Ponoka7 · 15/09/2026 19:38

Those of us who were against them from the start would just get patronised with "shock, horror, a man might see us washing our hands". Men are a danger to women and children, in a way female sex offenders aren't. We shouldn't be forced into locked spaces, alone, with them. It's ironic that most public toilets are linked with toilet charities in developing countries because women who don't have brick toilets are at risk of rape.

meinolini · 15/09/2026 19:30

Fidgety31 · 15/09/2026 18:25

I use mixed facilities and have done for many years . Don’t have a problem with them at all.

some of those sexual assaults could be between people that were there together ? Too easy to jump to conclusions without more info tbh.

did you read many were girls aged 13-16

Can you not read @Fidgety31

OP posts:
Fidgety31 · 15/09/2026 18:25

I use mixed facilities and have done for many years . Don’t have a problem with them at all.

some of those sexual assaults could be between people that were there together ? Too easy to jump to conclusions without more info tbh.

Artefact23 · 15/09/2026 18:20

AIBU to think mixed-sex changing facilities should be limited?

I think the word you're looking for is "banned", not "limited".

meinolini · 15/09/2026 17:58

Please explain why IABU voter

OP posts:
meinolini · 15/09/2026 17:55

Lovelyview · 15/09/2026 17:45

It's shocking OP. I knew there were concerns about hidden cameras and photos being taken under/over stalls but this is astonishing. And the fact that there were none when facilities were separated by sex shows that women's safety has been completely disregarded.

I find it unbelievable that women are supporting mixed sex toilets and changing rooms still.

OP posts:
Lovelyview · 15/09/2026 17:45

It's shocking OP. I knew there were concerns about hidden cameras and photos being taken under/over stalls but this is astonishing. And the fact that there were none when facilities were separated by sex shows that women's safety has been completely disregarded.

meinolini · 15/09/2026 17:06

Does anyone know what the stats are in England or Wales?

OP posts: