I am writing to protest about the M&S decision to “allow customers to use the fitting room they feel comfortable to use in respect of how they identify themselves”.
In your changing rooms, women and girls are vulnerable, both physically and emotionally.
We talk about puberty, pregnancy and mastectomy.
We deal with distressing body image, self doubt and comparisons with idealised images.
We are undressed - and most of us have never learned to defend ourselves.
Women and girls are entitled to safety, dignity and privacy because of the unique vulnerabilities of our sex, and the Equality Act 2010 allows you to accommodate our needs.
But now you announce that men can get into our space if they feel like it.
That's not the language you've used - but it's what you've done.
Did you ask your women and girl customers and staff what we wanted?
Your changing rooms will no longer be a safe space.
'Locked cubicles'? Hidden cameras stream spy porn over the internet. Google 'molka' for evidence.
'Separate partitions'? Hands with phone cameras appear under and over partitions, and curtains can be pulled back.
Allowing this loophole is an open invitation to predatory men to get in, claiming they identify as women.
Your poor untrained and unsupported staff will not be able to do a thing about it.
But unless you change to a practical, considerate solution giving women our rights to privacy, discretion and dignity - and men who say they identify as women a separate space, as Center Parcs have achieved - your customers will.
You have no idea how many women and girls have suffered from predatory male behaviour - yet you are making it easier for it to happen.
This is not just a sexist, dangerous PR disaster.
It's an M&S sexist, dangerous PR disaster.