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Original poster

Still no single sex Rape Crisis support in Brighton but…

116 replies

IamSarah · 02/12/2025 13:55

Sisters Heal has launched - a not for profit org offering single sex women’s spaces.

Full disclosure I am helping Sisters Heal get the word out about their new therapeutic courses and retreats as they’re brand new (set up by survivors as there are so many of us in Brighton struggling without support) and not many women have heard of them.

Most of the activities are in Brighton or nearby but they will be running a lovely, supportive online women’s group starting in Jan next year exploring themes like self-criticism, boundaries, guilt and worthiness.

https://www.tickettailor.com/events/sistershealcic/1940244

Everything offered is single sex ♀

Here is their website:

https://sistersheal.co.uk

Any help you can give them by commenting on this thread or sharing the info with women who need therapeutic support would really help.

I’m sorry I don’t have an update yet on what has happened with the promised women’s group at Survivors Network, but as soon as I do I will share on here.

OP posts:
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IwantToRetire · 12/01/2026 20:03

IamSarah · 12/01/2026 20:01

@IwantToRetirein this case it appears to be women (well female they/thems) who are having a tantrum that the yoga therapy doesn’t include males.

Not a single one claims to actually need the space but says it makes them feel unsafe that such a space exists.

Well in which case they can get off their backsides and create the service they want.

Why would they stopp women who want to have one sort of service that they wouldn't want, rather than think lets set up a service we would want to use.

Or is it all about signaling to men that they support men?!

Original poster
IamSarah · 12/01/2026 20:01

@IwantToRetirein this case it appears to be women (well female they/thems) who are having a tantrum that the yoga therapy doesn’t include males.

Not a single one claims to actually need the space but says it makes them feel unsafe that such a space exists.

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IwantToRetire · 12/01/2026 19:18

Glad to see the post from the Comissioner. Time to keep up the pressure. Was going to nudge her, but see it is X which I am not on.

Also, re self entitled comments.

It's always the same.

Women create something for other women and then men say what about us.

What about men getting off their backsides and creating and maintaining the services they think they deserve.

Women are NOT the unpaid servants of men.

Lazy wankers.

Original poster
IamSarah · 12/01/2026 17:40

The commissioner isn’t happy with the delay from Survivors Network. She posted this on X today. Thank you Teresa Smith if you’re on here for nudging her! 🙏

Still no single sex Rape Crisis support in Brighton but…
OP posts:
FranticFrankie · 12/01/2026 17:16

Aww diddums
Silly people

Original poster
IamSarah · 12/01/2026 15:42

I’m sure Sisters Heal has better things to be doing than putting out statements in response to the Brighton brats but here we are. https://www.instagram.com/p/DTanRCWjE5H/?igsh=MTAwdnN0Nms4M29vcA==

Sisters Heal on Instagram: "We’ve had a lot of comments recently about our single sex and trans inclusion policies. No other local women’s organisations offer therapeutic single sex spaces and we set up Sisters Heal in October last year to fill that...

4 likes, 0 comments - sisters_heal on January 12, 2026: "We’ve had a lot of comments recently about our single sex and trans inclusion policies. No other local women’s organisations offer therapeutic single sex spaces and we set up Sisters Heal in Oc...

https://www.instagram.com/p/DTanRCWjE5H/?igsh=MTAwdnN0Nms4M29vcA==

OP posts:
Original poster
IamSarah · 12/01/2026 10:11

Thanks @StellaAndCrow, it’s extremely frustrating but on the plus side they are posting about the yoga class to their stories which is gaining SH more followers and bookings.

OP posts:
StellaAndCrow · 12/01/2026 10:03

IamSarah · 11/01/2026 22:11

Well that didn’t take long. Some TRAs have found out about the Sisters Heal yoga classes that support women dealing with traumas such as stillbirth.

They are moaning the existence of these classes makes them feel unsafe.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DRu3F4PjMMx/?igsh=eHZpZDkyc3Zlc281

Wow those comments! I am in awe of your patience Sarah, and thank you for everything that you're doing.

Still no single sex Rape Crisis support in Brighton but…
Still no single sex Rape Crisis support in Brighton but…
Still no single sex Rape Crisis support in Brighton but…
Original poster
IamSarah · 12/01/2026 09:45

Lovelyview · 12/01/2026 09:15

The comments on that post are astonishing. They really don't want women to have anything.

breathtakingly arrogant!!

Providing a safe space for women to heal from trauma such as stillbirth is not about making blue haired brats feel safe FFS.

Did their parents never teach them that everything isn’t about them.

OP posts:
Lovelyview · 12/01/2026 09:15

The comments on that post are astonishing. They really don't want women to have anything.

Lovelyview · 12/01/2026 09:06

IamSarah · 11/01/2026 22:11

Well that didn’t take long. Some TRAs have found out about the Sisters Heal yoga classes that support women dealing with traumas such as stillbirth.

They are moaning the existence of these classes makes them feel unsafe.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DRu3F4PjMMx/?igsh=eHZpZDkyc3Zlc281

Thank you for your persistence Sarah and Sisters Heal.

quixote9 · 12/01/2026 00:56

zebrazoop · 03/12/2025 03:26

Thank you for this. I’m not local to Brighton but will share with those who I know would benefit . It infuriates me that women only groups don’t exist. My local rape crisis allowed trans women in their women’s groups and it makes me so angry .

Side issue, but also too relevant: Women, the only group who don't get to define themselves.

Trumpsanob · 11/01/2026 22:22

🤦‍♀️

Original poster
IamSarah · 11/01/2026 22:14

It’s worth pointing out that SH is welcoming and inclusive of trans identifying people born female AND there are many mixed sex yoga classes, including one run by Survivors Network.

OP posts:
Original poster
IamSarah · 11/01/2026 22:11

Well that didn’t take long. Some TRAs have found out about the Sisters Heal yoga classes that support women dealing with traumas such as stillbirth.

They are moaning the existence of these classes makes them feel unsafe.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DRu3F4PjMMx/?igsh=eHZpZDkyc3Zlc281

Sisters Heal on Instagram: "We are really excited to be launching some brand new, trauma-sensitive yoga classes at the new Yellowave in Hove 🧘 The classes will be taught by the lovely Tiffany @sacred___story and are supportive for those experiencing...

9 likes, 11 comments - sisters_heal on December 1, 2025: "We are really excited to be launching some brand new, trauma-sensitive yoga classes at the new Yellowave in Hove 🧘 The classes will be taught by the lovely Tiffany @sacred___story and are supp...

https://www.instagram.com/p/DRu3F4PjMMx/?igsh=eHZpZDkyc3Zlc281

OP posts:
OpheliaWitchoftheWoods · 09/01/2026 12:53

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

Original poster
IamSarah · 08/01/2026 23:04

Sonia Sodha has written about the lack of single sex rape crisis support and my case in the Times - archive link here: https://archive.is/XJC9C

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IwantToRetire · 07/01/2026 19:04

IamSarah · 07/01/2026 18:55

Of course here you go - does this work? https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17nTVjUmQY/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Show quote history

Thanks yes.

Will add a comment and see if it disappears like yours.

Original poster
IamSarah · 07/01/2026 18:55

IwantToRetire · 07/01/2026 18:40

Thanks for the update.

Can you post the facebook link?

Of course here you go - does this work? https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17nTVjUmQY/?mibextid=wwXIfr

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IwantToRetire · 07/01/2026 18:42

If a grassroots social enterprise can successfully run single sex spaces I don’t understand why the official rape crisis centre can’t

They can and some do.

The problem is 2 fold.

Funders who think because they have money they can tell progessionals how to do their job.

And TRAs who want the prestige of taking over a funded project as it is another way of "legitimising" their belief system.

IwantToRetire · 07/01/2026 18:40

Thanks for the update.

Can you post the facebook link?

Original poster
IamSarah · 07/01/2026 17:57

Oh I should also point out that Sisters Heal has had absolutely no pushback from Brighton TRAs. Well apart from a brief mention on Terfwatch.

If a grassroots social enterprise can successfully run single sex spaces I don’t understand why the official rape crisis centre can’t 🤔

OP posts:
Original poster
IamSarah · 07/01/2026 17:46

I’ve still heard nothing directly from Survivors Network but they put out some social media posts today about listening to survivors, responding with care and reaching more people (not women) across Sussex.

Someone commented on Facebook asking politely when they would run the new women’s group but they appear to have hidden it.

If anyone feels minded to comment here is the Instagram post https://www.instagram.com/p/DTNSvCLkWcw/?img_index=2&igsh=MXJiaHl5Z2QxdHNkcQ==

Survivors' Network on Instagram: "New year. Renewed energy. The same unwavering commitment. 💜 As we step into 2026, we’re setting out our intentions; to keep showing up for survivors across Sussex with care, courage and compassion. These are the pro...

17 likes, 1 comments - survivorsnetwork on January 7, 2026: "New year. Renewed energy. The same unwavering commitment. 💜 As we step into 2026, we’re setting out our intentions; to keep showing up for survivors across Sussex with care, courage and com...

https://www.instagram.com/p/DTNSvCLkWcw/?img_index=2&igsh=MXJiaHl5Z2QxdHNkcQ==

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IwantToRetire · 31/12/2025 01:48

oops!

ie running costs for the financial year 2026-27 would almost certainly mean even if there was an underspend the money could be carried forward.

ie running costs for the financial year 2026-27 would almost certainly mean even if there was an underspend the money could NOT be carried forward.

IwantToRetire · 30/12/2025 19:17

Unfortunately SN are the official rape crisis centre for Sussex and the PCC have decided they should be the ones to run it

I dont believe anybody, local authority or whatever can say that or attempt to make it a "fact" by manipulating funding.

I think funding agreements will vary depending on the funder and the purpose of the funding. ie running costs for the financial year 2026-27 would almost certainly mean even if there was an underspend the money could be carried forward. Also think that unless Survivor's Network formal says that they no longer feel able to provide the service they have been funded to supply it cant be used. Unless enough complain to the Police Commissioner. Is this something Brighton Sisters etc., could get a local campaign going?

I think in terms or advice who you should contact is Rape Crisis England and Wales. They would or should be the obvious group to advise you.
https://rapecrisis.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/

It maybe the Women's Resource Centre could advise you.
https://www.wrc.org.uk/

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