Twitter thread by DrEm
"As others talk about the charity #Mermaids and its alleged troubling disregard for safeguarding policies (fracturing lines of communications with parents, keeping secrets etc.) I want to express what I view as troubling connections. @ BigLotteryFund #charitytuesday
The relationships that don’t sit well with me are the ones between Mermaids and MESMAC and Mermaids, MESMAC and the police.
To summarise, Mermaids and MESMAC are two charities which support each other and work together. MESMAC, a sexual health charity, permitted volunteers & workers to have sexual relationships with service users.
One former trustee of MESMAC, Bowen, was convicted of child sexual abuse. One former employee of MESMAC harassed the academic Jessica Eaton over her campaign to stop showing explicit films of child sexual exploitation in schools.
The supposed office décor at MESMAC – alleged penis coat hangers – maybe should have raised concerns rather than just eyebrows? Here it is described in the IPSO ruling.
Despite this disconcerting record Mermaids is proud to work in partnership with MESMAC and release joint statements with the charity.
I am of the opinion that both Mermaids and MESMAC have strong relationships with the police. Mermaids hosted Christmas parties at various forces, trained the officers etc.
It is important, I think, to note that part of Jimmy Savile’s tactics to prevent exposure was to host parties with the police.
Both Mermaids and MESMAC have reported journalists to the IPSO. Some breaches have been upheld but the vast majority of the claims have not. MESMAC vs The Sunday Times: ipso.co.uk/rulings-and-re…
Mermaids vs The Sunday Times: ipso.co.uk/rulings-and-re…
The Mermaids IPSO case was over the Sunday Times Reporting that a Judge had ordered the charity to keep away from a child. It wasn't an order but rather a request.
It is frightening to criticise Mermaids, if one does Mermaids might, instead of producing their safe-guarding policies and assuaging fears, send the police to question you. I worry that this is a silencing tactic and not a productive response to child-safeguarding concerns.
Mumsnet thread on Posie Parker: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3190731-Woman-questioned-under-caution-and-banned-from-leaving-the-country-for-criticising-Mermaids
I always feel uneasy when a group or institution creates a climate of fear and silence, particularly when it comes to child safeguarding.
I can’t help but think that if I’m frightened to criticise a group/institution/individual imagine what a child would feel like if they had a secret to tell.
I think the dates are significant, the MESMAC sex scandal and trustee being jailed for child sex offences, the harassment of an academic over her campaign against child sexual exploitation films - those happened before Mermaids joint statement.
One would think Mermaids were aware. If not could it be argued that as a children's charity they did not carry out due diligence?
I must stress I am not aware of any CSA allegations against Mermaids, it is their relationship with MESMAC, particularly post the various MESMAC scandals, the cultured climate of fear & silence, and their disregard for safeguarding principles which is troubling me. "
threadreaderapp.com/thread/1075033888110624770.html
see linked document for sources etc