RCN conference cancelled due to "sexual harassment".

[EgonSpengler2020]

www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-58371251.amp

Any ideas what is going on?

I found this utterly bizarre too. I’ve visited political party conferences for work and they’ve never been cancelled despite every party having sexual harassment cases. It sounds like an epidemic of sexual harassment has run through the RCN in a manner that can’t be controlled by banning one or two people. Sounds to me like someone in charge has refused to stay away and can’t be stopped so the whole thing is off? But that seems utterly bizarre.

As you might guess I find it utterly bizarre... whoops.

But also I have a friend working there and I’m worried about the world she’s working in.

It's seems weird / drastic / expensive to cancel the whole thing.

@EgonSpengler2020

Would someone be able to link the other thread that keeps getting mentioned please, I'm struggling to find it.

This thread? www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/4334962-la-scapigliata-nurses-request-that-health-and-nursing-organisations-withdraw-from-stonewalls-diversity-championship-scheme

Theres also a parallel thread to this one in AIBU

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/4334846-RCN-conference-moved-online

*The union said that “as a matter of urgency” it was “undertaking a full review of all safeguarding policies and procedures as part of our cultural change”. It did not provide details of the allegations, but said it took a “zero tolerance approach” at all times.

Carol Popplestone, chair of the RCN Council, said: “We have acted fast and took a unanimous decision that protects all attendees. We know that many members planning to attend were looking forward to seeing each other in person for the first time in two years. But this decision was made with members’ safety at the top of our minds. That is what we are here to safeguard at all costs.

“I am absolutely determined that Congress will still be its usual fascinating mix of debates, events and speeches. Getting together virtually won’t stand in the way of that.”

Popplestone took over the RCN’s governing body after complaints were made against her predecessor David Dawes.

The RCN said it was taking the complaint “extremely seriously”, adding: “An independent external investigation will now take place and Dave Dawes has announced he will voluntarily step down from his role as chair of RCN Council*

From www.theguardian.com/global/2021/aug/29/royal-college-of-nursing-congress-moves-virtual-sexual-harassment-claims

Meh - formatting fail.
I meant to italicise this bit:

Popplestone took over the RCN’s governing body after complaints were made against her predecessor David Dawes.

The RCN said it was taking the complaint “extremely seriously”, adding: “An independent external investigation will now take place and Dave Dawes has announced he will voluntarily step down from his role as chair of RCN Council

Thanks @Spittinkitten

It won't be about a fear of sexual harassment. It'll be about people speaking out.

@so750

It won't be about a fear of sexual harassment. It'll be about people speaking out.

Yes.

@so750

It won't be about a fear of sexual harassment. It'll be about people speaking out.

Exactly this. My trust which is broke has been sucked in by stonewall but trying to sell it as a disability champion. No love, try harder.

So there's a feeling it's either a cover-up or it's censorship. Not a great look for a vast nursing union.

This is a very serious issue. I work in rape/sexual assault offences and would ask people not to post comments that think this is funny - references to Carry on Nurses or Benny Hill aren’t helpful at best, at worst they are deeply offensive to those who have been sexually assaulted.

Also please don’t assume that this is an attack on male nurses. I work with many men who have been sexually assaulted. It is possible for men to be harassed by other men and women and equally women. The issue is one of respecting individuals.

Well yes I imagine a lot of nurses, mostly female, are feeling very harassed right now for holding perfectly legal professional views about safeguarding.

The investigation into David Dawes shouldn't result in a conference not happening as planned. It should be happening at pace, parallel, with him suspended from conference privileges. That would be normal and appropriate, surely?

Or or there other cases?

It’s utterly bizarre to stop a conference because of one person. Unless, as others suggest, they are censoring discussion.

I’m really intrigued and wonder if we will get the full story at some point. But like others have said I’m suspecting this is about censorship.

What a strange response. Why wouldn’t the answer to allegations of sexual misconduct mean the alleged perpetrator(s) be refused attendance rather than cancelling the whole thing?

There’s got to be a significant backstory.

@Doomscrolling

What a strange response. Why wouldn’t the answer to allegations of sexual misconduct mean the alleged perpetrator(s) be refused attendance rather than cancelling the whole thing?

There’s got to be a significant backstory.

Maybe they tried a suspension from the conference, and the suspendee threatened legal action? And So the RCN cancelled the event rather than install boundaries?

Loads of bodies seem to cave in so quickly to these sorts of threats these days.

'I can see that the chair of the RCN Governing body has stepped down and is being investigated for misconduct after complaints were made about him'

Ah.

V h profile.
Any speeches panels etc with him would need to be pulled. Imagine he'd be doing a lot.

Everyone would wonder why.
The whole conference would be people speculating etc if I know what people are like!
Maybe concerns that guesswork and rumours and made up stuff might spread including speculation on victim/s.

Yes people will talk anyway but a mass event like that it would be huge.

And they're still investigating.

That's what it is I'd think.

I would imagine if the CEO/ chairperson of any large org was being looked into for gross misconduct it would mean ditching a group wide in person get together.

It would be a distraction and inappropriate aside from the points I just mentioned.

@NiceGerbil

'I can see that the chair of the RCN Governing body has stepped down and is being investigated for misconduct after complaints were made about him'

Ah.

V h profile.
Any speeches panels etc with him would need to be pulled. Imagine he'd be doing a lot.

Everyone would wonder why.
The whole conference would be people speculating etc if I know what people are like!
Maybe concerns that guesswork and rumours and made up stuff might spread including speculation on victim/s.

Yes people will talk anyway but a mass event like that it would be huge.

And they're still investigating.

That's what it is I'd think.

That makes far more sense than the way it's been presented.

If someone is so dangerous that they cant attend a conference in person safely, surely they should not be a practicing nurse? Looking after vulnerable patients.

But the guy has already stepped down? the CEO David Daws.

www.nursingtimes.net/news/leadership-news/rcn-council-chair-steps-down-as-investigation-launched-into-conduct-13-07-2021/

More info

I think the investigation is uncovering serious or multiple things and it's been pulled for the reasons I gave.