@ATeamAmy
I also agree that it's a terrible statement. I was a solicitor for many years, and this is the sort of well intentioned but completely misguided document, produced by a client without first seeking legal and public relations guidance, that would make my heart sink.
That is fair comment. I thought it was a bit too "chatty" and informal at times but am not in any way qualified to judge it in terms of legal aspects.
Suggesting Sarah Phillimore be asked to advise the authors is a good idea.
She might not want to comment here but this bat-signal might get her attention to these posts: @spero
"Angus Fox" has been mentioned a few times. As far as I am aware he is not and has never been an "Investigative Journalist":
"Angus Fox is an academic who became embedded within a confidential support group for parents of gender-questioning young men - becoming an accidental journalist in the process"
genspect.org/team/
"About Angus Fox"
In 2020, I started working with parents of trans-identifying kids — parents who think their kids are making a big mistake. I quickly realized that there was a huge amount of medical malpractice going on, and that gay people like me would be blamed for it. So I started trying to do my bit to tell their stories. Since then, many of them have become my friends.
Parents feel lost, misunderstood, vilified and hopeless. They deserve a voice. I want to provide a space where that voice can be heard.
Why I write anonymously
Like many gender critical people, I write behind a pseudonym. This is because I am an academic working in an unrelated field, and I don’t want to lose future research or work opportunities. Also, I don’t want to have to deal with the hate mail that inevitably comes to those who express dissent on this topic — nor do I want my family to have to deal with it. Only one side in this debate issues death threats, and it isn’t mine.
Why it’s my business
‘Gender transition’ is being pushed on young people under the guise of ‘LGBT rights’. That means that people like me will inevitably be implicated when the fallout from these procedures hits. I’m also pretty certain that I would have followed this pathway myself, as someone who experienced dysphoric feelings in teenage — and that it would have been a disaster.
How you can help
No matter whether or not you have kids, you can help parents and families who are going through this. Keep an open mind; listen to what they have to say; and stand up for their right to make autonomous decisions as parents.
angusfox.substack.com/about
LangClegsInSpace - "A statement was necessary but this one is dreadful. It's incredibly defensive, filled with words like 'unhinged' and 'crazy'. I understand why but they really need to rise above this and remain professional."
I don't think it is "dreadful" or "incredibly defensive" but I do agree otherwise.
"mixed in with the outlandish are some genuine issues which they are failing to address because they see it as all part of the same big Karen plot."
I wouldn't claim to be aware of all the issues raised by Karen or anyone else. The statement deals with the ones that I am aware of. If there are other genuine issues that they seem to be ducking then I hope someone brings these to their attention.
"Why can't they just add a bit to the video description and the end of the video to point out that behaviour like this in a very young child can be a sign of sexual abuse?"
Good suggestion!
"Why on earth would they insist that any concerns are raised privately in response to things they have said (or in this case, failed to say) publicly?"
My interpretation was not that they had a preference for "private vs public" but that contact by email would mean that they would actually be aware of issues raised and could respond to them.
As I mentioned in my previous post, allegations are being made across multiple social media platforms in multiple formats by numerous people.
It would be a practical impossibility to be aware of what is being asked or alleged by whom, where and in what format (video on several platforms, text on several platforms, etc.) including in private and pay-walled spaces.
If people want answers then it makes sense for them to contact Genspect directly. Then for Genspect to either direct them to material already published, to reply privately and/or to add to the information on their website in order to clarify any further queries.
They could spend 24/7 replying publicly to the comments and questions that they are aware of on public platforms and still be accused of failing to respond or answer questions that are raised elsewhere.
"Why would I email Stella after having heard her on hatpinwoman's twitter space, where it became very clear that she does not understand safeguarding?
They seem to treat all discussion of safeguarding as allegations of abuse. They seem to treat anyone saying anything as part of the same gang of bullies.
This is disappointing to hear but it does sound as if things have improved:
I have seen their safeguarding policy. They had none until the beginning of January and the current version is much improved on the one they had up until at least early February"
"So that's one good thing that has come out of this clusterfuck - they are at least developing better policy. I'm particularly pleased to see a commitment to appropriate training in there."
Something else that might help would be to expand on the "Guidance to Parent Support Group Meetings" re the "vetting process" for new members:
genspect.org/guidance-for-parent-support-meetings/
Others have already pointed out that Genspect does not work with children. However, they are providing Guidance for parents and for those who do work with children and vulnerable adults, so amplifying the Safeguarding message with practical advice or relevant links would be a useful service.
So I need to take my own advice and send them an email!