Petition: Tell IPSO we need truthful crime reporting where sex is concerned. ​

[Glinner]

Hello! We've started a petition to ask that IPSO change its guidelines on the reporting of trans-identified males who have committed violent crimes and/or sex crimes. It is an insult that these male crimes are being pinned on women. Let's see if we can do something about it.

www.change.org/p/i-tell-ipso-we-need-truthful-crime-reporting-where-sex-is-concerned?utm_content=cl_sharecopy_28830356_en-GB%3A8&recruiter=3031805&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=share_petition&utm_term=share_petition

I did see some comment on facebook about this wonder why it wasn't on the Parliament Petition web site. ie meaning it needs to be stronger than just asking IPSO to report accurately.

I'd guess that, as it has been decided the press should self regulate, that it wouldn't be seen as a matter for Parliament and therefore a petition would probably be rejected.

Signed, thanks Graham.

Thank you, Mr Linehan. I've signed.

Signed, shared and DH signed too.

Signed

Thank you.

I’m a journalist. Let me be very clear that every journalist I know in the regional press would absolutely prefer to do away with the necessity to call violent transmen appearing in court by their preferred pronouns.

There are several difficulties for us.

Sometimes, the court lists do not list any sex for a defendant. Crown court lists only have the name of the defendant - no details of the case or address etc.

So if someone is called Jane, and they’re up in court, and they look a bit masculine, then there’s often just no way to find out if they are trans unless it’s specifically referred to in the hearing (and it’s often not - judges and counsel are understandably nervous about touching the subject.)

Although the current example in the press is clearly obvious, it’s just not an assumption you can make as a journalist. And it’s not something you can ask - neither the police or the CPS would ever disclose that kind of information. You absolutely cannot just guess. Imagine the consequences if you were wrong.

If their trans status is explicit in the case then the IPSO guidelines tell us we can’t make reference to it unless it’s necessary. And even if we do acknowledge it, in our story, there is absolutely no movement on preferred pronouns. The court has to use them, we have to use them. Nobody wants IPSO on their back. A ruling against you is a complete headache so many editors will just remove any reference whatsoever to transgenderism.

Personally, I have always tried my best to be very clear with my readers because it’s almost always relevant if a trans person has previous convictions in another name. I pay lots of word gymnastics to not use any pronouns at all. I make use of ‘the defendant’ and use their surname instead of ‘he/ she’.

I’ve only ever once reported a court case where the defendant was trans, I knew about it, and I didn’t mention it in the story. He was convicted of financial, he’d identified as a woman for 35 years, and it was wholly irrelevant to the story.

I fully support this petition.

Thanks, Janice. Really helpful to have your insight.

@JaniceBattersby neither the police or the CPS would ever disclose that kind of information

Neither the police nor the cps would ever disclose the sex of the defendant? You’re the expert on this, but that is absolutely insane!

Every news report of police investigations and cps charges and court cases says things like “a 50 year old woman” or “a 24 year old man”, but the public is to assume that “man” and “woman” have no link to the sex of the person in question? My head is spinning!

Clearly both IPSO and the CPS need to be challenged on this.

Signed and shared! Well done for highlighting this.

IPSOS's published transgender guidance www.ipso.co.uk/member-publishers/guidance-for-journalists-and-editors/transgender-guidance/ does not appear to say what people seem to think it says. Specifically, referring to clause 12 of the editors' code of practice www.ipso.co.uk/editors-code-of-practice/, it says: An individual’s gender identity and sexual orientation must not be referenced unless genuinely relevant to the story. It does not say that an individual's sex should not be referenced.

Why is it that people seem to believe that the opposite is true: that a person's gender identity should be referenced but his or her sex should not?

Good question. There's a similar confusion when some groups say they want to stop discrimination based on gender identity, but in fact such discrimination is exactly what they're insisting on (ie treating transwomen like women, not men).

When faced with obvious nonsense, normal people have a generous tendency to "do what we think they mean/want" rather than actually do what was said. But you can't afford that sort of generosity with people who are already playing coercive language games to manipulate others.

Signed and contributed. Thanks

I have observed how journalists, obviously hands tied by current rules, often make sure to publish a photo. A picture tells a thousand words etc. However, what about people who can't see the message the picture is signalling? The visually impaired will have the text of the story told to them, but the subtext of the photo will be lost.

@hallouminatus

IPSOS's published transgender guidance www.ipso.co.uk/member-publishers/guidance-for-journalists-and-editors/transgender-guidance/ does not appear to say what people seem to think it says. Specifically, referring to clause 12 of the editors' code of practice www.ipso.co.uk/editors-code-of-practice/, it says: An individual’s gender identity and sexual orientation must not be referenced unless genuinely relevant to the story. It does not say that an individual's sex should not be referenced.

Why is it that people seem to believe that the opposite is true: that a person's gender identity should be referenced but his or her sex should not?

That's interesting hallouminatus

Not all newspapers referred to the NDR (Northwich Dog Rapist) as a "woman" so it must have been known to the press that the NDR is male.

Those that did refer to the NDR as a "woman":

• were they using "woman" to mean "sex", ie. as a proxy for "female", despite the fact that the NDR was known to be biologically and legally male?

• or were they referring to the NDR's "gender identity" as a "woman"?

(If so, in what way was the Northwich Dog Rapist's "gender identity" of "woman" "genuinely relevant to the story".)

Whichever way you cut it, there does not seem to be any justification for referring to the NDR as a "woman".

If what IPSO means by "gender identity" is "cis gender" vs "transgender" vs "non-binary" then the press should still have referred to the Northwich Dog Rapist as "male", or "man" as a proxy for "male", without referencing the NDR's "gender identity".

(I don't know why I even expect any of this IPSO bullshit to make sense, TBH.)

How have we got to the point where the most important thing in court reporting is misleading the public in order to validating the lies or delusions (take your pick) of a f@cking DOG RAPIST!!

So many readers, going by Newspaper online comments, misunderstood the situation and thought that the Northwich Dog Rapist "woman" was female.

If the NDR had self-identified as "otherkin" would the papers have reported that a paedophilic alien from outer space had raped an Alsatian??

(That poor dog BTW! JFC!!)

1/3

All of these titles are regulated by IPSO but the coverage varies so individual journalists or editors are interpreting the IPSO guidance differently.

The difference between the Northwich Guardian articles of 31 Oct and 22 Dec is depressing:

Northwich Guardian 31 Oct 2021

Northwich man admits having sex with a dog

A MAN has admitted having sex with a dog and possessing dozens of images of bestiality.

John Goodier, of Spencer Street in Northwich, appeared at Chester Magistrates Court on Friday, October 22 where he pleaded guilty to a raft of charges.

In total, the 60-year-old, who now goes by the name of Claire, admitted to five charges, including one for the possession of seven half gram bags of cocaine.
The most serious of the charges related to one where Goodier allowed himself to be penetrated by a dog at an unspecified location in Bournemouth on December 15 and 16 2018.

He also admitted being in possession of 31 extreme pornographic images of a German Shephard dog having sex with a person, which were grossly offensive, disgusting or otherwise of an obscene character.

As well as admitting being in possession of other offensive images, Goodier also failed to comply with the notification requirements of the sex offenders register.
He pleaded guilty to a charge of failing to conduct his annual notification on November 5 last year.

Goodier has been released on conditional bail and will be sentenced at Chester Crown Court on November 19.

www.northwichguardian.co.uk/news/19682778.northwich-man-admits-sex-dog/

Fast forward to 22 Dec and it's woman, she, her all the way to jail!

Northwich Guardian 22 Dec 2021

Northwich woman jailed for cocaine-fuelled sex with a dog

A WOMAN has been jailed after she admitted having cocaine-fuelled sex with a dog and possessing images of the 'disgusting' incident.

Claire Goodier, of Spencer Street in Northwich, was described as 'manipulative' and 'deceitful' by a probation officer.

Judge Steven Everett called her behaviour in taking part in the act with other adults as 'despicable' 'disgusting' and 'depraved' as he jailed her for 20 months.

The 60-year-old has twice been convicted of possessing indecent images of children, back in 2006 and 2009, with the judge admitting she had been 'astonishingly lucky' to avoid previous spells behind bars after receiving suspended sentences.

Full story:
www.northwichguardian.co.uk/news/19802592.northwich-woman-jailed-cocaine-fuelled-sex-dog/

The Scottish Sun (and The Sun)

TOTAL SICKOPaedophile jailed for having cocaine-fuelled sex with an Alsatian
A paedophile has been jailed after she had cocaine-fuelled sex with an Alsatian dog.

(All "she" and "her" - nothing to indicate that this person is male).

www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/8189608/woman-jailed-cocaine-fuelled-sex-alsatian/

The Daily Post

'Disgusting' and 'depraved' sex offender jailed after drug fuelled sex with dog
Claire Goodier, 60, already had convictions for possessing indecent images of children

"A trans-gender women has admitted having drug fuelled sex with a dog."

www.dailypost.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/disgusting-depraved-sex-offender-jailed-22563427

The Daily Mail

Paedophile, 60, who identifies as female is jailed for 20 months after having cocaine-fuelled sex with a dog
Claire Goodier, 60, has been sent to prison for 20 months for the depravity
Goodier - who was previously known as John - has a string of offences
The pervert was listed as John but note asked for her to be called Claire in court

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10336917/Paedophile-60-identifies-female-jailed-20-months-sex-dog.html

Yorkshire Examiner

'Depraved' paedophile travelled 200 miles to have cocaine-fuelled sex with dog
Claire Goodier's actions were described as 'depraved' and 'disgusting'

"A "despicable" and "disgusting" woman has admitted having cocaine-fuelled sex with a dog.

Disgraced Claire Goodier, 60, had previously been convicted of possessing child abuse images,The Daily Star reports, before a sickening new crime came to light.

Goodier, who is trans after being born male, avoided jail after being found in possession of the indecent photographs in 2006 and 2009."

www.examinerlive.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/trans-woman-paedophile-travelled-200-22558093

The Mirror

Woman jailed over cocaine-fuelled sex with dog in disgusting incident
Claire Goodier, 60, from Northwich, Cheshire, was previously convicted of possessing indecent images of children but she has only now been jailed after admitting to having sex with a dog

(Nothing to indicate Goodier is male or trans)

www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/woman-jailed-over-cocaine-fuelled-25770541

The Bolton News

Northwich woman jailed for cocaine-fuelled sex with a dog
A WOMAN has been jailed after she admitted having cocaine-fuelled sex with a dog and possessing images of the 'disgusting' incident.

(Nothing to indicate Goodier is male or trans)

www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/19804407.northwich-woman-jailed-cocaine-fuelled-sex-dog/

The Daily Star

Paedo jailed over cocaine-fuelled sex with dog after downloading sick child sex pics
Claire Goodier, 60, has been sent to prison for 20 months for getting high on cocaine and having group sex with an Alsatian while on a suspended sentence for previous offences

"A trans woman who was previously convicted of possessing child abuse images has admitted havingcocaine-fuelled sex with a dog."

www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/paedo-jailed-over-cocaine-fuelled-25767802

=========

The Guardian, The Independent and the Financial Times are not regulated by IPSO but they do not appear to have covered the story, that I could find.

2/3

IPSO research by Mediatique

Examining trends in editorial standards in coverage of transgender issues

IPSO November 2020

This is a VERY interesting research report and well worth reading!

(Sidenote:
Appendix A: Manual case study analysis of editorial standards in coverage

• press coverage of eleven stories analysed, including the 2017 "Speakers Corner incident" where Maria MacLachlan)

www.ipso.co.uk/media/1986/mediatique-report-on-coverage-of-transgender-issues.pdf

IPSO statement on the Mediatique research:

IPSO Response: Examining trends in editorial standards in coverage of transgender issues

This statement ends:

Next steps

In response to the research, IPSO will:

• Review the IPSO transgender guidance

• Share insights from research with individuals and organisations interested in raising editorial standards in this area

• Continue to publish our monitoring of complaints made under Clause 12, including those relating to transgender matters

• Consider ways that IPSO can act as convenor − bringing people together to talk about reporting on complex or challenging editorial issues.

www.ipso.co.uk/media/1985/ipso-mediatique-response.pdf

It is so tiring having to fight on so many fronts at once and IIRC someone worked out that there are about two stories in the UK press every week about crimes misattributed to "women".

However, if there is no prohibition on reporting the legal sex of offenders (where known) then at least there is basis for complaints to the press within the IPSO rules.
3/3

I would just like to point out that using pictures to tell something obvious that is left out of the text is surely discrimination against blind people who use text to speech software? I highly doubt the software is capable of describing the picture accurately enough to get the point across and if it is, why not use those words in the text for everyone?

@Iknowitisheresomewhere

I would just like to point out that using pictures to tell something obvious that is left out of the text is surely discrimination against blind people who use text to speech software? I highly doubt the software is capable of describing the picture accurately enough to get the point across and if it is, why not use those words in the text for everyone?

This x1000

@Iknowitisheresomewhere

I would just like to point out that using pictures to tell something obvious that is left out of the text is surely discrimination against blind people who use text to speech software? I highly doubt the software is capable of describing the picture accurately enough to get the point across and if it is, why not use those words in the text for everyone?

Good point.

However, screen readers rely on images being described using the attribute, although sometimes the attribute gives enough of a clue.

www.w3schools.com/html/html_accessibility.asp

In the Newspaper articles about the Northwich Dog Rapist the images either have no text or the text is exactly the same as the photo caption. So no clues there for screen-reader users.

The IPSO and Editor's Code have nothing to say about any accessibility standards.

I think this post would get reported and deleted if I were to suggest what sort of standard text descriptions would be helpful to ensure that screenreader-users had access to the same information as sighted readers of #notourcrimes newspaper stories.

A huge issue with this is the insidious messaging to society. And that's unquantifiable but imo really dangerous.

The public in general loves shock horror about women doing stuff that men do much more often.

It's the thing where Myra hindley rose West etc were/are seen as more evil more shocking than the men they committed the crimes with.

I suppose it's because it's rare and also violates what women are supposed to be like.

We've had MRAs etc pushing for years.
Women do it too.
It's a people thing not a male thing
Etc.

Every glanced headline in a shop, on the net. Is consumed because unusual. And adds to the predisposition many have to think subconsciously, woman done xyz, and incrementally add to the women do it too impression.

Even if the subheader says male, loads don't read that far

And in general society likes women do it too as it reduces any discomfort that some must feel somewhere when engaging in the standard focus on victim what did she do wrong, keep focus of man.

So there are v large and v subtle issues with this but imo will add bit by bit to societal views around MVAWG esp sex related behaviour.

Signed. Will share also.

@Bosky Must have taken a lot of time to collate those newspaper clips, great post!

The Northwich Guardian tried didn't they, then obviously ran foul of the code or were rapped on the knuckles. If they're a smaller newspaper you see why they might have buckled.

Lot of the 'Dailys' referencing trans-status

The Mirror and Guardian .

I know the Daily Mail is frequently called The Fail, (and being a woman of colour I'm sensitive to the racial dog whistling) but overall it's stance on this nonsense has been quite good. I can barely bring myself to read The Guardian these days, which used to be my no1 go to. If I do read it, it is literally for the odd factual story/heritage piece. I curiously find myself reading Telegraph, Times, DM, which, with the odd exception, aren't running to throw women and actual reality under the bus.

Signed and shared (with like-minded friends), thank you Glinner and thank you Bosky for thoughtful and detailed posts.

Signed. But how come this is still ongoing since May? I can’t believe it’s taking this long to get enough people to sign this petition.

@PaleGreenGhost - exactly what i thought. There are legal males who shockingly committed horrific sexual crimes against women, young girls & boys, are legally male without a GRC or any alteration to their bodies faces etc. After arrest they self ID’d and were put in a female prison, women supposed to be protected in prison, were stalked/sexually assaulted. . The Judge said the men were deceptive manipulative to gain access to women, before putting them in a male prison (governmnt says by definition rape committed by men/transwomen with male genitalia)

Not meant to be self ID in UK yet but shows self ID threatens womens/transwomens safety. Its a simple thing really, if someone has committed such a crime, they cannot be put with women (3% of women 2019 in uk prisons were sex offenders. Transwomen with GRCs are NOT in the trans stat, likely to be in the female stat because you are considered female once you have one).

When legally male men call themselves transwomen it is not fair to transwomen who have GRCs, living as women, to report these men as transwomen. As a result of these reports, 2019 stats says 58.9% of transwomen in UK prisons were listed as sex offenders. 16.8% of male prisoners were sex offenders. If men who faked it were listed as male it would no longer reflect badly on transwomen. This should be something everyone can be united on. It is wrong for stats to misrepresent women/transwomen.