Feminism: chat
How to challenge mixed changing at local pool
SomeOriginalUserName · 16/06/2021 17:26
I usually lurk & learn but can't find anything with a search, so can anyone help?
My local pool, owned by the council but signed over to Everyone Active to run, has used the Covid19 situation as an excuse to replace single-sex changing with mixed changing areas.
They claim this is to comply with one direction flow requirements - the separate areas are on either side of a central corridor. Entry is now on the left of the corridor, the same side the men's area is on, and this is now a mixed area. The women's area is on the right and, inexplicably, is completely closed off: People exit on that side so no one can use it. Real nonsense.
I've suggested separate times for male & female, or finding another area somewhere else in the large centre for a second change area, but the male manager has completely dismissed me.
I've cited the Equality Act and single-sex provision. Ignored.
I've countered his 'but there are cubicles' argument by explaining that the 2 foot gap at the top and bottom of the changing stalls and shower stalls are nowhere near offering security and privacy, but he's dismissed me. He's made some references to these meeting standards for Swim England and Sport England?!? And when I've referred him to figures on sexual assaults in leisure centres and info on up-skirting and men shoving cameras under gaps to take photos, he's gone on about gaps being necessary to clean!
And he really isn't interested when I point out that failure to provide safe, private single-sex facilities is exactly why women and girls stop doing sport - because we're effectively shut out.
I understand the guidance about coming ready to swim: I had my costume on under my clothes. But I still need a safe, private area away from men to undress, check my tampon, use the loos, and to shower and change afterwards - I'm not going to put my clothes on over a wet costume and get the bus home before being able to wash out the dirt and chemicals of the pool.
And the excuses he's given for not providing this just don't cut it.
They won't put the info about removing single-sex changing on the website tho - afraid of the publicity I suppose - so women are paying and booking swim sessions only to have to turn around and leave when they discover the situation. I'm not the only one whose complained, but I'm not sure what to do next.
I've emailed the local council, since they own the site and Everyone Active has claimed they're okay with the mixed changing.
And I'm going to write to head office to ask why they think they can ignore the Equality Act, dismiss women's concerns and bar them from the pool unless they're willing to compromise their safety.
Anything else I can do?
Everyone Active have form for failing to provide single-sex facilities in other centres they run and I really don't want to see this happening at my local pool.
(GGGrrrr - waiting all year for the pool to re-open and now the hottest summer ever and I can't swim unless I agree to put myself in an unsafe situation. 
)
Thelnebriati · 16/06/2021 17:29
They won't put the info about removing single-sex changing on the website tho - afraid of the publicity I suppose - so women are paying and booking swim sessions only to have to turn around and leave when they discover the situation. I'm not the only one whose complained, but I'm not sure what to do next.
Try Trading Standards. They are discriminating against women who cant use mixed sex changing, and stealing their money offering a service that is not as described.
StrawberryLipstickStateOfMind · 16/06/2021 17:33
@Angelica789
This and @dementedpixie's experiences are exactly why so many women are put off swimming/sport.
SomeOriginalUserName · 16/06/2021 17:34
Thanks viques
I'm going to try and drum up interest at the local paper, altho not confident. I'll use your suggestion and maybe write a readers letter warning others.
And I think I'll send out an email to all the female councillors - I just hope they don't treat my email like spam!
Beamur · 16/06/2021 17:34
Unisex 'changing village' in my local pool. Constant supervision required by staff to prevent men perving on women is required. There is always someone 'mopping' the area. I don't think they can leave it without staff otherwise there are problems. I've seen men walking naked through it, quite deliberately.
SomeOriginalUserName · 16/06/2021 17:36
I'm shocked by the posters who've never had single-sex changing provision.
These are council-owned facilities, council's who''ve signed up to the Equality Act.
How are they getting away with it?
The changing areas have no natural light so a a bit dim, and there are lots of corners and places to hide, let alone the really inadequate changing stalls.
I genuinely would not feel safe using the mixed version. My heart actually dropped when I walked in and saw them.
SomeOriginalUserName · 16/06/2021 17:39
I've emailed a link to this article:
www.independent.co.uk/life-style/women/sexual-assault-unisex-changing-rooms-sunday-times-women-risk-a8519086.html
Any other good ones?
picklemewalnuts · 16/06/2021 17:40
Swapsicles, it doesn't need to be the majority- just the ones that take advantage of every loophole in safeguarding.
It doesn't need to be many or even one predatory male to make it impossible for women from certain cultures to use those facilities. Just one, well mannered male is enough to prevent many women being able to use the facilities.
SomeOriginalUserName · 16/06/2021 17:40
Thanks @swapsicles - I really needed someone to come in an be dismissive and belittling. Nice to have you oblige.
I'm not worried about the vast majority of men or even MAMLT - I'm worried about the ones who will go out of their way to take advantage.
SomeOriginalUserName · 16/06/2021 17:42
Yes, the areas have not been designed as mixed changing, so it really is unsuitable.
The manager has said that there will be staff patrolling - no confirmation on what sex the staff will be tho.
And I'm not convinced by the 'There's CCTV' argument - more alarmed.
OhHolyJesus · 16/06/2021 17:43
Good suggestions above but I would also check building regulations as they could be in breach of these?
I would ask about women of faith and how they propose to manage this under this new set up but I would put all queries through to the council now as the management of the pool seem to have washed their hands.
You could also email your MP but if yours is anything like mine it will get referred back to the council, but it doesn't hurt to make him/her aware, particularly if you have been in touch before.
SomeOriginalUserName · 16/06/2021 17:51
I don't know ineedaholidaynow - I genuinely don't go to pools without single-sex changing.
But I have been into mixed-sex loos, and these all have cubicles with wall-to-ceiling walls and many have a sink in the cubicle too.
The changing cubicles in the leisure centre have about 1.5-2 foot gap at the bottom and there is a gap of several feet from the top of the cubicle wall and the ceiling (high ceilings.) Its even worse in the showers.
No privacy and no protection.
If that's what mixed-changing areas a like, nope, I'm not going to be using them!
I've been using this pool most of my life; learned to swim there as a kid, school sports sessions, and off course stopped for years when I hit puberty!
The only other time I use pools is at hotels, so changing in my room.
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