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Original poster

Risk assessments regarding clothing shop changing rooms

115 replies

finnmcool · 23/05/2019 17:17

I'm bloody frustrated! I've phoned New Look, Topshop, John Lewis and Marks and Spencer asking for information about what risk assessments they did when they decided to allow males who self id as females into the changing rooms.

Not one of them could give me an answer, they're all getting back to me.
Marks and Spencer have to be highlighted for their aggressive stance though.
I was talked over, interrupted and told they aren't changing their policy. I was told that I can't even put a freedom of information request in, because their policy 'comes under business model'
This was a woman in the management team
.
GLL, haven't got back to me yet, regarding their gym/swim changing room policy.
How is it not a breach of law to allow males into women's spaces without consent and risk assessing?
Sorry, I'm a lurker who occasionally comments, but I quietly fight our battles in my area.
Thank you if you've read my rant.

OP posts:
Original poster
finnmcool · 23/05/2019 21:06

Thank you jacky you're a bloody genius! Grin

OP posts:
Oncewasblueandyellowtwo · 23/05/2019 21:05

Finnmcool You sound very clued up and articulate. What you went through, awful. Amazing that you are trying to fight back on all this,if we all do these little things then it adds up.

Original poster
finnmcool · 23/05/2019 21:05

Dear Mr Forrest,
Further to our ongoing communication regarding trans access to women's spaces, I would like information on the following please.
GLL risk assessment for women and girls, regarding allowing self sex identifying males to share what should be female only spaces.

Contact information for GLL insurers.
Do I need to put in a freedom of information request? Or can you directly give me this information?
Many thanks
With kind regards

OP posts:
Original poster
finnmcool · 23/05/2019 21:04

fairplayforwomen.com/changing_rooms/
Dear Mr Forrest,
I am as yet, unable to respond to the literature you sent me, regarding trans access to women's spaces in a non emotional, non personal way.
What I see is complete dereliction of safeguarding for women and girls. I am amazed the outlined policies passed a risk assessment. I am also deeply concerned by the companies listed for more information. Stonewall clasifies cross dressers as being transgender and Mermaids supports the medicalisation of children to stop the onset of puberty.
I thought I would send you this information to read, it might help GLL understand that the vast majority of women nationwide don't want shared spaces and why we don't want them.
With kind regards

OP posts:
JackyHolyoake · 23/05/2019 21:00

I just wanted to show a couple of emails I sent to GLL, questioning their risk assessments.

Perhaps copy & paste just the text content of the message you sent?

Original poster
finnmcool · 23/05/2019 20:55

I can't figure out how to post edited emails, removing my personal information?
I just wanted to show a couple of emails I sent to GLL, questioning their risk assessments.

OP posts:
finnmcool · 23/05/2019 20:43

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

finnmcool · 23/05/2019 20:42

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MrsSnippyPants · 23/05/2019 20:34

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Original poster
finnmcool · 23/05/2019 20:12

Thank you again jacky you women really do inspire me! Grin

OP posts:
MenuPlant · 23/05/2019 20:12

Not with dad! With DD

Fucking autocorrect 😁

MenuPlant · 23/05/2019 20:11

I think it will be a 'don't know what you've got till it's gone' thing with all of this.

Not being able to get away from men in clubs and pubs is a bit of an issue. I mean, asking with all the other issues!

Original poster
finnmcool · 23/05/2019 20:10

Thank you Humber I feel the strength and support from you amazing women!

OP posts:
MenuPlant · 23/05/2019 20:09

Shops are private so can do what they like tbh, although the insurance factor is a thing.

I think all this will erode boundaries anyway. I was in cubicle with dad the other day (curtains fortunately not gappy ones) and heard male voice outside. I stepped out and stood guard with arms crossed :D turned out to be a chap called in by girlfriend to see her outfit, he scarpered. There used to be an invisible barrier though which seems to be faltering.

Only solution is to have them all open into where people are, with doors that can't easily be unlocked from outside. That does scupper the showing your mum /mates stuff which is a real shame. Looking back, I've stepped out and asked random women to do me up, been asked for opinion on stuff. I didn't realise but yes it was a womens space where women were a bit more relaxed. I think that will go and its a shame. I also think that is the aim. Either let men in on these things or they will be shut down.

Original poster
finnmcool · 23/05/2019 20:08

Thank you Bickerin I really appreciate that, and the flowers. I'm just not as clued up as you all are, but I just couldn't stay quiet about this.
I really do love the support that is always shown on the feminist boards, I'm still on my recovery journey, so still feeling timid and nervous, but! I will always stand up for women and girls.
Thank you again for your support, you've given me some more courage! Grin

OP posts:
HumberElla · 23/05/2019 20:06

Oh finn I’m sorry to hear what you’ve endured. I’m buoyed by your commitment to supporting women and girls. People like you restore my faith in humanity.

Keep on keeping on!

JackyHolyoake · 23/05/2019 20:05

May I reinforce what BickerinBrattle says here.

Please keep doing what you do Finn Flowers

BickerinBrattle · 23/05/2019 20:00

Flowers finnmcool.

It doesn’t seem to me you’re out of your depth at all. Applause and thank you for all you’re doing for girls and women.

Original poster
finnmcool · 23/05/2019 19:58

And my paragraphs disappeared! Sorry.

OP posts:
Original poster
finnmcool · 23/05/2019 19:57

Thank you for everybody who has had input on this thread.
I am feeling out of my depth regarding how articulate and clued up you all are.
I feel in the sense of fairness, I should explain what viewpoint I'm coming from.
I have PTSD from extreme, male, physical, psychological and sexual violence against me. It took me a long time to feel safe enough to leave my home again.
I was a totally alone single mother of a daughter who is now 27.
I was a youth worker who set up young women's self esteem groups.
I now work with ex offenders and I predominantly work with women.
I have seen, and watched what the dismantling of women's safe spaces is doing to my clients, my daughter's friends and I see how I would have taken a lot longer to recover.
I would also be completely terrified if I had a male in close proximity to me.

To the pps who are saying that I shouldn't expect access to a risk assessment, I get what you're saying, but I don't understand why women shouldn't have access to that information.

OP posts:
MenuPlant · 23/05/2019 19:37

'But most changing rooms have lockable doors rather than curtains now'

No they don't!!!

JackyHolyoake · 23/05/2019 19:24

The explosion in global population would suggest we’re improving though.

Howling with laughter! Thank you, I needed that laugh! Flowers

HumberElla · 23/05/2019 19:19

Show me the peer reviewed evidence that our entire species has an inborn sex detector that has a ‘99.9%’ accuracy

Not 100%. The explosion in global population would suggest we’re improving though.

JackyHolyoake · 23/05/2019 19:18

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newjobnerves · 23/05/2019 19:14

You can't do an FOI request on them because they are not a public body.