Crowdfunding and extortionate costs

[Honestopinion23]

I know that it's a travesty that women are having to bring these cases etc etc but I've just seen one GC feminist whose crowdfunding target is now £400,000, on top of a previous figure of £150k already raised. There are several other ones also asking for extremely high figures. I am just shocked that the costs could be so high (over half a million), even if the hearing is a lengthy one, and I worry that now cost of living is escalating that ordinary people won't be able to part with large amounts of cash. There's also something in me that says why should they have to. I know, I know, there is no obligation to donate but it makes me feel guilty reading the requests for funding. And I just feel a bit uncomfortable about the whole thing.
Hopefully JKR will swoop in and fund all of them!

@NecessaryScene

Did think the extra amount Alison Bailey needs seems very excessive

Okay, seen that this is Allison Bailey we're talking about.

Yep, that's a hell of a lot of money, but you're getting something for it. 20 days of Ben Cooper.

Stonewall and Garden Court Chambers are expected to call some 30 plus witnesses, all of whom will be cross-examined by Ben Cooper QC.

This could make Maya's hearing look like a minor sideshow. Were you not entertained?

It was more than entertainment (although that on steroids). It was like an old fashioned Western where the dodgy feckers were running their own dodge city, and then the good guy rides into town to take them on.

Bet Ben would look great in a Stetson.

@Signalbox Hi, you are referring to my case when you say: "Some of the crowdfunds seem to be struggling now to reach their targets especially when they are looking for funds after the case has been heard."

A few months before trial, I specifically requested a final estimate because I wanted to avoid having to ask the public over and over again. I stretched my target and met those costs before the trial. Then, after raising all that (what was explained to me as "the total" of my case), I was given another estimate for an extra £75,000 that I needed to pay as soon as possible. It felt like I got kicked in the gut.

Hi Raquel,

Yes I was thinking of your case. It's a shame because I think people focus on what is coming up next rather than what has already happened but you definitely shouldn't feel bad asking for additional funds. The women such as yourself who are bringing these cases are complete heroes as far as I am concerned. Your bravery will benefit all of us, so the least we can do is help to fund them if we can. I followed your case closely and it's horrendous what you went through. It seems very unfair that you can be suddenly lumbered with additional unexpected fees out of the blue.

@RaquelRosarioSanchez

As someone about to send a child off to University this year, I am ashamed at how you have been treated by a British University and I am happy to continue to donate to you, on a monthly basis every pay day for the foreseeable future if necessary in order to help meet the costs whatever the results.

Please don't feel bad about asking for support - you are always clear that people should only contribute what they can afford.

Your courage will make a difference to the University experience my children get.

Someone just gave £50,000

Seems I was wrong about the funding fatigue

Just donated 50,000.

I wish! Donated £10 but every little helps! Don't be put off if you can only afford a few pounds!

@RaquelRosarioSanchez, I have donated to your cause too today. Happy to do so.

The situation makes me think of a colleague, whose abusive ex consistently drags her through court and deliberately racks up legal fees for her by being obstructive and stringing things out. His aim is to drain her finances, make her life difficult and remind her of his power.

@Signalbox

Someone just gave £50,000

Seems I was wrong about the funding fatigue

You never know, someone minted, who read your comment, might have been moved to donate, because of it.

You never know, someone minted, who read your comment, might have been moved to donate, because of it.

Perhaps we could move them to donate another 50k to Raquel.

I used to have regular standing orders to Amnesty, Greenpeace and others but they all suddenly forgot what a woman was. I also had a Labour Party membership. All that money has been going onto a pot and now only goes to actual women's crowdfunders.

I must admit that if it is the case that Allison will be giving any unused funds to the Samaritans then I find that disappointing. But I will still donate.

Just donated to both AB and RRS. I have a very small life, especially in these covid times, and no children to leave anything to. I can't do much in real life so I will donate when I can. Their bravery is astonishing, and I'm grateful I can help even in a tiny way.

My mind has lost track since Ukraine.
Has any one a handy list of allotments still needing more seeds?

@NecessaryScene

Did think the extra amount Alison Bailey needs seems very excessive

Okay, seen that this is Allison Bailey we're talking about.

Yep, that's a hell of a lot of money, but you're getting something for it. 20 days of Ben Cooper.

Stonewall and Garden Court Chambers are expected to call some 30 plus witnesses, all of whom will be cross-examined by Ben Cooper QC.

This could make Maya's hearing look like a minor sideshow. Were you not entertained?

I would pay £400,000 for 20 days of Ben Cooper

Update: Allison has £314,531 to go. £85,000 in a single day?

Raquel has £52,020 to go with 5 days to make it in. I can't link to her garden, but there is a path to it here.

twitter.com/8RosarioSanchez/status/1430127029576404994?t=UuuntrDkkl9QAhko9XZIow&s=19

Surely we should be asking why the justice system is so prohibitively expensive? And why it permits behaviour such as by SW or Bristol University which deliberately increase the financial burden on the other side? This, to me, us a big gaping flaw in the system.

Most people cannot afford justice. Therefore it is not justice, as that would apply to all, not just those with access to funds.

@Aretina

Surely we should be asking why the justice system is so prohibitively expensive? And why it permits behaviour such as by SW or Bristol University which deliberately increase the financial burden on the other side? This, to me, us a big gaping flaw in the system.

Most people cannot afford justice. Therefore it is not justice, as that would apply to all, not just those with access to funds.

I completely agree with you. And if one of the parties drags it out like this, they should have to pay both parties costs. It's a joke. And Stonewall being able to use taxpayers money seems so discriminatory.

And Stonewall being able to use taxpayers money seems so discriminatory

I agree. No wonder SW are happy to try to outspend Allison in order to keep the secrets buried.

But if they think it is worth going to these lengths to avoid scrutiny in court, I rather think that demonstrates exactly why we should persevere.

Same goes for Bristol treatment of Raquel, and I really hope she recoups those costs.

@RaquelRosarioSanchez
I’ve just pledged again. Rooting for you.

Will also pledge for Alison. Wow! She’s getting loads of donations. Need to check the cut off date for my credit card.

Actually Allison's surplus funds will go to the Samaritans not other GC causes. I get why she has said Samaritans - would have been an uncontroversial choice years ago - but the woman who helped introduce a lot of the gender stuff at Girl Guides, Julie Bentley, is now their CEO.

I find it very tiresome how the same people shuffle around the upper levels of charities, from one cause to another, with no deep commitment or understanding for any issue in particular.

It is very annoying and also confusing how there is this perpetual game of musical chairs in the top spots of the big charities. Surely people should choose to work for a particular charity because they really believe in the cause and then commit themselves to it long term.
It is why so many people won't give to these big charities any more - I certainly don't. I would choose small local charities that I trust but these days all the money goes on court cases. Though I have some to Lumos recently as part of JKR's Ukraine appeal.

I can't help feeling Stonewall is behind this, it's all part of spreading their influence through all the sector, and so many charities now seem to have forgotten their raison d'etre and are more concerned with promoting Stonewall and its dogma.

Such an important case. I've just donated.

I will admit that I no longer give money to any of the charities I used to (although I buy tonnes from charity shops).

The work of all of these charities, from Cancer Research to Red Nose Day, is useless unless they know what a woman is.

We need to get law and policy changed. This is the only way to do it. This is the only way to get some of those shady practices out into the open and on public record.

It must be exhausting for Allison, for Rachel and all the others, and this is a small thing I can do.

Good luck and God Bless xxxx

It also sends a very clear message to anyone watching where exactly public opinion and sympathy lies. It cannot escape anyone's notice that despite all the campaigning against her, the virtual radio silence, powerful institutions literally training HR professionals that she is wrong, Allison has raised £237k so far...

Send them a message, if you can afford to.

But if they think it is worth going to these lengths to avoid scrutiny in court, I rather think that demonstrates exactly why we should persevere.

Absolutely.

Hey, OP. What do you think of your thread? You've highlighted the problem, and accelerated the contributions.

You must be delighted.

@Datun

But if they think it is worth going to these lengths to avoid scrutiny in court, I rather think that demonstrates exactly why we should persevere.

Absolutely.

Hey, OP. What do you think of your thread? You've highlighted the problem, and accelerated the contributions.

You must be delighted.

I am actually. I don’t know why the snarky undertone but I am pleased that she is closer to hitting her target. At least, as you say, I raised awareness, even if some think that is ‘handwringing’.

£51,700 left to go for Raquel

twitter.com/8RosarioSanchez/status/1430127029576404994?t=ktqQJVCoRYdcvwdULow1fg&s=19

Allison has £307,436 to go.

I am actually. I don’t know why the snarky undertone but I am pleased that she is closer to hitting her target. At least, as you say, I raised awareness, even if some think that is ‘handwringing’.

Yeah, it is snarky. I've seen too many faux concerned threads over this issue, to be honest.

If you're genuinely glad, then that's great. And I'm glad of it.