Nick Cohen suspended over trans rights row

It seems that a formal allegation was made against Cohen in 2018, outcome unclear, but there don’t seem to have been any consequences for him

It says that the woman who made the complaint was treated very poorly by senior Guardian managers.

Cornflowerandchicory, I'm so sorry. Hope you're okay.

Agreeing with other posters that all allegations of this type obviously need to be investigated - what also needs to happen is an investigation into the working environment they happen in.

Prhaps it's no accident the Guardian has taken so long to listen to women raising concerns about various issues.

Jolyon Maugham has some horribly misogynist views. He has (rightly) shone a light on what are some pretty substantial allegations against Nick Cohen. I can believe both things to be true.

Yes, me too.

This thread is really nothing to do with TRAs/GC and it's a shame to see so many views framed that way.

Jolyon Maugham has some horribly misogynist views. He has (rightly) shone a light on what are some pretty substantial allegations against Nick Cohen. I can believe both things to be true.

I'm so sorry you went through this, and I hope the investigation hasn't triggered too many difficult memories for you.

It seems that a formal allegation was made against Cohen in 2018, outcome unclear, but there don’t seem to have been any consequences for him

Foxy kimono took against him late last year and gathered some accusations which he forwarded to GMN

and over 6 months later they’ve acted

doesn’t feel like a great environment for women there.

@itsabouttimetoo Since you've included my name and I've said not one word about trans, I think you're just slinging accusations about in the hope that some will stick.

I'm so sorry, and hope you're ok now

It shouldn't have happened, I'm glad it's all coming out and being properly investigated, women deserve justice.

Yes, back in the day, men's entitlement was so ingrained into them, that it was considered perfectly acceptable for a boss to grope his female staff.

No comment. Just highlighting this post again.

I was 24, starting out in my career. He was much older and powerful. Reporting him at that point was never an option.

That's how powerful men get away with it, isn't it, they pick on women who won't be listened to. I completely sympathise, I've been in a similar position before.

I’m so sorry

I'm so sorry this happened to you. And yes, if this comes out come out more women will come forward.

said to me “well done for playing, you lasted longer than the other ploppers

No I didn't, don't blatantly lie about what I said.

They got their last thread taken down for transphobia and now have started on this one.

Not sure who "they" is as the OP of the other thread doesn't seem to be here? If you're referring to me I was the third poster on this thread, you seem to be the one "starting" here after the other one got shut down, rather than others.

Cohen's behaviour was well known at the time. On the night I was assaulted, a colleague of his approached me to explain "that's what he's like."

I was 24, starting out in my career. He was much older and powerful. Reporting him at that point was never an option. I do wonder how many people will feel able to speak out now.

Do TRAs really think that women would put the block on investigating a sexual predator, just because he agrees that men can't become women?

I have no doubt that Maugham is pursuing him for self-serving reasons known only to himself. Two men who don't support women, fighting it out together. It's not exactly unusual.

If it turns out that Jolyon Maugham has played a leading role in uncovering the truth about these allegations, then I will happily buy JM a drink.
Of course JM would then be forever connected with the Mumsnet Vipers but I don't believe in guilt by association so it's fine by me.

So sorry to hear this, are you in a position now to report it?

Completely understandable if not.

Yeeesh. Waste of time tbh. Remember the Golden Rule : Everything Is Transphobic.

innocence onto the accused

Innocent until proven guilty, yes.

All this story currently confirms is that Guardian and Observer have terrible work environment for women and an inadequate complaints procedure.

Which would explain their continuing employment of some of their star columnist s, I guess.

That is certainly a reasonable conclusion.

It's unsurprising, to me at any rate, that the Guardian has a culture that is detrimental to women. They go out of their way to avoid talking about misogyny.

Cohen was involved in a sexual assault on me when I was a young journalist. I've never reported it. Am very glad his behaviour is finally being outed.

I'm sorry to hear this and I fully support the investigation of all sexually abusive men, as someone who is also a rape survivor myself.