woman loses residency of son she was raising as daughter

I am gobsmacked that anyone would think that was a good idea.

Doxxing people is horrible but when you are in a position of power it takes a whole new level of dickhead.

Tubas do you want one of us to report them for a breach of data protection?

I can understand if you don't want to pursue this, but if you feel too exhausted to but would like someone else to, I'm sure someone could put their minds to it.

This is an absolutely disgraceful way for any organisation to carry on and would be taken very seriously by the Information Commissioner. They have a form on their website where data breaches can be reported. Accidental breaches have resulted in huge fines for some organisations, I cannot imagine how the Info Commission would regard a deliberate breach.

Xenophile I think she may have been on there as a teen member when I was with them. There are two discussion boards on Mermaids. One for parents and one for teens. She may have been on the teens board.

Tubas - from me too. You sound like a deeply caring, thoughtful and supportive parent trying to do the best for your DC in very difficult circumstances for both of you.

I am totally gobsmacked that someone from a charity would come onto a public website with over a million users, and misuse private information gained in the course of their association with that charity (possibly with the collusion of the charity itself, from what people have said) in order to doxx a woman and identify her minor child! What sort of total crazies are these people? Regardless of one's position on transgender issues, that is way, way over the line (and almost certainly a breach of the data protection act, so illegal to boot).

Aimee Challoner is involved with them?

Another person sending to you, Tubas. Thank goodness that MNHQ zapped that post so quickly. Obviously they had to use the standard deletion message, but "Talk guidelines" doesn't really reflect how horrendous that poster's behaviour was.

Mermaids seem to be doing a heck of a lot of damage-limitation at the moment. Which wouldn't have been necessary if they hadn't caused damage in the first place.

Tubas as an ex member of mermaids with a child who identifies as trans if I can be of any help at all please PM me.

That's brilliant. I would be happy to email them but my concerns would be kind of based on a feeling that things need looking into rather than anything concrete.

Another ex Mermaids member and other people have been looking at contacting the Charity Commission. I will be in touch with them tomorrow.

Is it worth emailing the Charity Comminssion to try to kick start an investigation into Mermaids? I mean, any of us to email.

So sorry you've been treated like this, tubas. I didn't see the post before it was taken down, but I'm appalled that an organisatio n dealing with such sensitive material would post it.

This link leads to a letter of support for Mermaids with specific reference to the DM. Clicking on it asked for which Google account I wanted to open it-presumably just opening it doesn't mean I've just endorsed it?

Aimee Challenor ‏@GPEWAimee
The #standwithmermaids Open Letter is going strong. Please continue your support for @Mermaids_Gender sign here; docs.google.com/document/d/1EV

t.co/IR0iUT7vui

tuba, I am so proud of the stand you're taking. Being doxed in the way Mermaids tried to do today is designed to silence you. Thank you for not letting that happen.

Tubas I didn't read the post but I just wanted to say I'm appalled that they have breached both your and your DC's confidentiality in this way.

tubas you sound like someone with immense integrity. I'm sorry you've been treated so shoddily

Thanks for the flowers folks and for the support. I don't think I have the stomach for pursuing their contravention of the Data Protection. Funny to think it was I who insisted they needed to register with the ICO when they thought it wasn't necessary. I actually believe several of them collaborated to post that message. It is correct that I was a friend of Susie Green and was grateful for the support of Mermaids when I joined. I was in the throes of just starting to support my child through this. There are things I did which I would change if I could go back and do it all over again. There is a difficulty when joining a group such as Mermaids in that you are vulnerable and are so relieved to meet others going through the same thing that you accept advice and support and feel as though it is "us against the world". At the time I raised concerns I was having a carrot of becoming a paid member of staff dangled in front of me as Mermaids were bidding for funding and intending to become a charity with paid staff. I was uncomfortable with that as I didn't see how people with no formal training or expertise other than supporting their own children should be paid or employed. Then, as "Hugh" said I wasn't thrown out. I left because Mermaids didn't seem to be a safe place anymore as concerns raised by several people were disregarded

I am astonished an organisation like Mermaids where confidentiality should be REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT turns out to be willing to put confidential information on social media about members or ex members they disagree with. If anyone ever needed a reason not to touch them with a bargepole and make sure no school or other organisation they are involved with does, there it is right here.

tuba

I'd heard about TRAs doxxing people, can't believe that's actually happened here! Data protection commissioner, now! Disgusting

Tuba

Blimey! It sounds like how cults treat ex members!

Glad you are ok Tuba.
If it wasn't clear my previous post re the data protection act was pointing out that Hugh was possibly committing a criminal act, not a refection on anything you have posted.

Oh my goodness

I didn't see the post either, but that is low, coming here specifically to troll and out someone for having an opinion on their service. No reputable organisation, or anyone associated with one needs to do that. Shutting people down only ever makes it look like you've something to hide. Not cool.

tubas I would contribute to a go fund me for you to sue their arses. Disgusting behaviour

I have now read the screenshot. I believe it was posted by a committee member as there is information given which would not be known by someone not on the committee. I also believe I know who it is from the style of writing. I am not upset reading it but annoyed. Annoyed because a lot of it is not true. Also "Hugh" pointed out things I have said which they say contradict what happened in the past. I hope "Hugh" is reading this as I believe that they should understand that people change their views on things over time. Just because I did something years ago does not mean I now think it was advisable.

I freely admit that there are things I did that I would change or do differently if I could go back in time. Although I did benefit from being a member of Mermaids initially does not mean others fare so well and are not ill-advised.

I am still in touch with people from Mermaids who know what is going on there at the present time, so I know that things have not changed much from when I left two years ago. I left voluntarily because valid concerns were not taken seriously by the committee. I have not breached any confidentiality on Mumsnet or anywhere else.