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Original poster

Refuge’s response to the ruling

38 replies

TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 17/04/2025 08:19

Refuge - describing itself as an organisation “for women and children” - have nailed their colours quickly and firmly to the mast, in an early indication of how certain organisations might respond:

In response to today’s Supreme Court ruling on gender and single-sex spaces, Gemma Sherrington, CEO of Refuge, said:
“Today’s ruling by the Supreme Court will not change the way Refuge operates. We remain firmly committed to supporting all survivors of domestic abuse, including trans women.
“Refuge offers a range of specialist services that are accessible to trans women, including our helpline, community-based support, and some accommodation-based services. These are designed to provide safety, dignity, and tailored support to meet individual needs.
“Our commitment to compassion and inclusion remains at the heart of our work, and we continue to develop and strengthen services to meet the needs of every survivor.”

OP posts:
Rightsraptor · 17/04/2025 08:42

ItisntOver · 17/04/2025 08:29

This is the grinding years of work ahead.

The ruling will be widely flouted and those who do will be praised for it.

It’s far from over.

Absolutely right. We have many minor skirmishes ahead of us but at least the law is clear now.

As to Refuge etc all these organisations need to do is make it clear they're for anyone and to stop pretending they're only for women. That's sheer deceit.

Greyskybluesky · 17/04/2025 08:41

Viviennemary · 17/04/2025 08:37

So if they allow a trans woman in then surely they will need to let any man in. So it's no longer a single sex space.

Yes, will be interesting to see how they argue it.

Viviennemary · 17/04/2025 08:37

So if they allow a trans woman in then surely they will need to let any man in. So it's no longer a single sex space.

GargoylesofBeelzebub · 17/04/2025 08:35

ItisntOver · 17/04/2025 08:29

This is the grinding years of work ahead.

The ruling will be widely flouted and those who do will be praised for it.

It’s far from over.

🎯

GargoylesofBeelzebub · 17/04/2025 08:34

Of course Transwomen would be supported if they need help.

Refuge will just no longer be able to gaslight other users that the services are female only.

What worries me is that single sex services will now disappear.

highame · 17/04/2025 08:31

If they have the word 'woman' in anything, then that anything is for biological women. I assume that's now the case and I assume they are aware they will be subject to legal challenges if not?

They will state specific services for transwomen, which is quite right but they wont be mixing the two

Original poster
TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 17/04/2025 08:31

JellySaurus · 17/04/2025 08:21

Nobody objects to them offering services to trans-identified people. The question is whether the whether they will resume offering single-sex services.

Just to be clear, I wholly support any organisation which offers support to victims of domestic abuse, whatever sex they are or however they identify. I think my point was that the Refuge’s tagline is somewhat at odds with its statement. Surely after yesterday’s ruling, it is now ‘for men and women and children’ if it is continuing to offer services to transwomen?

OP posts:
ItisntOver · 17/04/2025 08:29

This is the grinding years of work ahead.

The ruling will be widely flouted and those who do will be praised for it.

It’s far from over.

Soontobe60 · 17/04/2025 08:25

That statement is very reasonable - what it doesn’t say is whether they will continue to treat males who identify as female as actual females or whether they will ensure services are single sex.

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 17/04/2025 08:24

TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 17/04/2025 08:19

Refuge - describing itself as an organisation “for women and children” - have nailed their colours quickly and firmly to the mast, in an early indication of how certain organisations might respond:

In response to today’s Supreme Court ruling on gender and single-sex spaces, Gemma Sherrington, CEO of Refuge, said:
“Today’s ruling by the Supreme Court will not change the way Refuge operates. We remain firmly committed to supporting all survivors of domestic abuse, including trans women.
“Refuge offers a range of specialist services that are accessible to trans women, including our helpline, community-based support, and some accommodation-based services. These are designed to provide safety, dignity, and tailored support to meet individual needs.
“Our commitment to compassion and inclusion remains at the heart of our work, and we continue to develop and strengthen services to meet the needs of every survivor.”

It's great that they will offer services which are available to trans women.

But what we want to know is whether they will also offer the same to women.

Greyskybluesky · 17/04/2025 08:23

I suppose they can carry on doing what they're doing but would need to make it absolutely clear that they offer services to men as well.
A traumatised woman turning up to their "accommodation-based services" needs to know if there will be men there so she can make an informed decision.

Just be honest Refuge, it's a mixed user group service. Not a women-only service.

TheOtherRaven · 17/04/2025 08:22

No one wants them to stop supporting transwomen. Just not to force them into the women's space and claim they have to cos the Equality Act says so, regardless of the impact on and exclusion of women.

Isn't it amazing how the most important and centred women to all women's organisations turns out to be the men.

JellySaurus · 17/04/2025 08:21

Nobody objects to them offering services to trans-identified people. The question is whether the whether they will resume offering single-sex services.