@longestlurkerever
How do you feel about unisex loos? We have some of those at work, with enclosed cubicles you can't see under. I suppose that's why I don't see it as a safe space - safe space is something that to me needs to exist in order for women to be safe. Sex segregated loos, I'm not so sure we need.
if they were individual lockable spaces with a handwash basin inside, then not so bad (although if men are allowed to use them it still facilitates voyeurism/filming of women as no male is at risk of being challenged if seen entering - see recently court cases involving Sainsbury's and I think another organisation that had mixed sex facilities) but not ideal.
The difficulty we are facing here, as Michelle points out is that we pretty much need 'one size fits all'. As a society we need very clear and simple rules that can be followed by people with all levels of 'understanding capacity'.
We need to be able to work out quickly and easily what we need to do in all types of toilets, council run public toilets, toilets in an educational establishment etc etc. to ensure safeguarding of women and children.
Up until recently, we had a social contract that was pretty much set in stone. No male ever dreamed of entering the ladies toilets unless they were a contract cleaner with express authorisation and a big sign to shut the toilets while he was cleaning (like our local supermarket) or were a bad guy up to no good. In the latter case, there was a strong likelihood that if anyone spotted him they could make a fuss and get the situation sorted out.
Nowadays, we are being asked to attempt to risk assess every single situation and to try and judge every individual based on their appearance and their possible motivations which as you can imagine isn't ideal and makes it far more likely to create problems.
Normally in society, if a problem or risk is apparent, we expect the authorities to help us mitigate or prevent that risk. At present, the push seems to be to facilitate that risk.
thank you again for your engagement longest, next question (if you don't mind) - do your daughters use public toilets (at the supermarket for eg) on their own yet and what guidance have you given to them to try and assess whether she thinks someone might do her harm? Especially when entering an enclosed space with one exit and possibly no one else around?
What would you do if you saw a youngish girl go into the toilets and then noticed a man appear to follow her in?