NB This was published before the GRA response was made public.
" ... Women’s Aid has recently written to our membership regarding the provision of single sex services for survivors of domestic abuse. The debate about who should have access to single sex services has evolved over the last couple of years and has become extremely polarised. As a federation that represents member organisations all over the country, we know that this is an issue that can be divisive between organisations and the staff working within them. ... "
www.womensaid.org.uk/consultation-on-single-sex-service-provision/
Another NB This is for WAFE members, and I am not posting this to encourage individuals to write to them! Can only hope that those at the coal face of DV provision still failing the founding aims of WA.
ie " ... a consultant to ensure that any further statements or practice guidance we develop is informed by the views and current challenges of our members, as well as survivors and other stakeholders. ... "
But they have now published a response to Liz Truss' statement:
" ... As a domestic abuse charity for women and children, Women’s Aid have long advocated for the provision of women-only spaces. This is informed by evidence that specialist services by and for women, and those for Black and minoritised women, deaf and disabled women, and LGBT communities are vital to safety, recovery and empowerment. We also know that trans people face significant barriers in accessing safety and support for their experiences of domestic abuse. All victims and survivors of abuse should be able to access their fundamental rights to safety, dignity and support. ... "
www.womensaid.org.uk/consultation-on-single-sex-service-provision/
I think some of what they have written is a bit fence sitting, but I think they are the largest women's service provider to have actually made a public statement indicating that it has been an issue not having a clear statement (until Liz Truss) about the right of service providers to offer single sex services.
Much better that this is out in the open that individual refuges being subject to pressure from local council funding and trans activists - or stray Management Committee Members who insist even though they have only been in post for a couple of days know better than the women actually actually working with DV survivors day after day.