Self Identifying Women wanted

[EmmaGrundyForPM]

Our local Rape Crisis Centre is advertising for volunteers to be trained to respond to peopl calling for help. The advert stipulates that you've got to be over 18 and that you self identify as a woman.

So if I were the victim of a horrendous sexual assault I would phone for help/ support and possibly end up speaking to a "self identifying woman" who has a penis.

... and you'd be called transphobic if you asked for a non-penis haver.

They'd hang up.

But far be it for a Rape Crisis service to place the needs of the people turning to them for help, first.

Could you send a link or print screen of advert?

Appalling.

So you might ring up and get a male voice on the other end of the line?

They'd hang up.

But far be it for a Rape Crisis service to place the needs of the people turning to them for help, first.

Exactly. But as long as the volunteer has been validated as a 'woman' then who cares about the people actually using the service?

Withholding comment until I see a screenshot or link.

Can you link to the advert please?

cambridgerapecrisis.org.uk/volunteerwithus

Sorry, cross-posted.
Just read the Cambridge ad.
Who are we looking for?
Self-identifying women (18 years+)

Blimey. Lost. For. Words.

I see Butterer has already worked it out.

Yes, Cambridge Rape Crisis Centre.

A quick look through the Cambridge Rape Crisis Centre shows they have retweeted vacancies from other centres. It is heartening to see Sheffield Rape Crisis Centre correctly using the Equality Act to ensure that only females get their positions. I mean, it shouldn't be 'heartening' it should be an absolute minimum standard, but here we are.

@Butterer wow, that's very clear.

I just can't get my head round it. The CRCC is specifically for female victims of sexual abuse. And yet those victims might be counselled by a male volunteer.

Do the local press know about this?

I was under the impression this was quite common? Sadly.

I have no idea @TornadoOfSouls

The Cambridge News is usually late to the party on this sort of thing.

Rape crisis lines often get calls from wankers who get off while talking about rape to a woman. I suppose having a male answer will cut down on cranks but it will also increase the number of women who will be unable to use the service.

@Highperbolay but SARSVL says they accept self-identifying women under their right to do so under the Equalities Act 2010. So does that mean Sheffield does the same, without even acknowledging it? Fucking hell, if so.

They especially welcome enquiries from trans women apparently

Thanks EmmaGrundy I sometimes wonder whether this kind of thing would get through to more ‘ordinary’ non-Twitter using type people it it was reported in local press.

Love your username btw.

Survivors Network in Brighton did something similar (for a counsellor to victims of CSA under 13) and there was a post the other day about the British Youth Council also doing this for Ambassador posts (female and non binary I think it was?)

It's everywhere.

I'd email as ask if as a woman who doesn't identify as a woman, as you don't have a gender identity, but you are over 18, can you apply? See what they say.

It's discrimination as gender identity isn't a protected characteristic and you shouldn't be discriminated against because you don't have a gender identity.

the Cambridge News is very pro-trans, particularly their social media/tweeting people, so it's unlikely to be a big story there. There are other independent newspapers that might be interested - i have no idea what their stance on such matters is

EG www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/3597742-Forth-Valley-Rape-Crisis-Centre?reverse=1