Big update on Rape Crisis legal challenge

[IamSarah]

I know many of you have been waiting for an update so first of all thank you for your patience and the many messages of support.

I am suing Survivors Network, the Sussex Rape Crisis service, as it refused to offer a single sex women’s group in addition to the mixed sex women’s groups. By mixed sex I mean inclusive of any males who identify as women.

I’ve been granted anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the case and it was submitted to Brighton County Court today.

I am being represented by law firm Didlaw and my Barrister is Naomi Cunningham (Chair of Sex Matters). So far they have acted pro bono which I am incredibly grateful for as it has taken a lot of time. The team are confident I have a good case but this is unchartered territory for women’s rights.

Many of you have very kindly offered to be involved and help with gardening. I don’t think I’m allowed to share details on here so please go to my Twitter page http://twitter.com/SarahSurviving/ which has all the info in a pinned post.

Of you’re not on Twitter feel free to send me a DM for more information on how you can help the case. Any publicity you can give the crowd funder would really help.

Thank you everyone.

Sarah x

@IamSarah
It must be challenging to fighting such a determined group, but remember you have the support of 1000's of woman right behind you. I'm lucky in my counselling after sexual violence is with a female, I was firm on the point before I started, but I could have been you.

I admit I fear the battle for women only spaces is growing at such a rate it won't be long until it encroaches into each of our lives in some minor or major way.

I'm starting to pick up more & more chatter about potential issues with my request for female only carers within my own home. Considering my personal history it's not something I will compromise on, but as I'm at the whim of adult social care, who know.

Frightening times

You are within your rights to request female care. Care packages often outline single sex care if it is required and this has to be respected. Todays care services are meant to be person centred and as such your wants and needs matter greatly

@BloodyCamping in Brighton & Hove female only appears to mean anyone who identifies as female, so inclusive of males.

A female rape survivor was branded transphobic for requesting a biological female for her mammogram.

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/patient-branded-transphobic-after-asking-for-female-medic-3jh3snddt

Rights. Hmm the best I could do with compromise with them, see attached from my care plan. Trust me, the time will never be right, I've been female carers my whole life.

To make it worse (not that it would ever be acceptable) but I receive 24/7 care, including waking night support for my physical health, all funded by the state in my own home. This gives an insight into my level of need.

I also live alone, no care = death, & I genuinely fear the day will come when I don't have the right to female carers,

With the state of care right now I cannot even switch to another provider.

Sorry to derail Sarah

Bugger, username fail. My health needs are so unique I've been experimenting with different usernames so my abusive husband wouldn't spot them, apologies, this was me posting

I’ve planted something Sarah, best to you

@KittenKins I absolutely agree with you that women only services, by and for women, need to be protected. I hope it will be possible to stop women's services being chipped away.

The letters from Clare Dimyon made me feel really sad. Individual women shouldn't need to expose or explain or justify ourselves to get access to women only services. By now society should have a pretty good idea of which services need to be offered as women only. The most we should ever need to do is ask for a female-only rape crisis group, or female mammogram technician, or female doctor, or carer.

And as for using her deeply felt letters as examples of "transphobia" well that just shows up what a silly idea "transphobia" has become.

I am feeling a bit down because some women who I deeply respect and who have done a lot for women still think that it's fine to include trans women exactly as if they are women. Well, at least some trans women, and please don't ask me to explain how my friends expect to decide which ones or who gets to make that decision.

Rape support needs to be women-only for every woman who wants it to be (and that's probably most of us, and includes some of us who don't know it yet) Wishing @IamSarah luck and strength.

I'm just catching up. @Boiledbeetle - your post was inspirational. Thankyou.

I just wanted to say, for anyone it's relevant for... you can apply to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority even if your attacker is found not guilty. Criminal courts work on beyond all reasonable doubt, but the compensation is on balance of probability. It really helped me in just that situation. Not the money (I rightly got the lowest payout of £1000) but as proof that the state believed me, even if the jury had not.

Sarah: I'm thinking of you and willing you on. Thank you.

Thank you everyone for the info, gardening and good wishes.

I am due to get the defence info (I'm sure there is a proper legal term!) mid next week.

Good morning Sarah

Just here to say:

Keep on going Sarah. You are an amazing woman whose strength knows no bounds.

And don't forget when you're having a bad day or a wobble, or just seeing some bloody annoying tweet, we are right there with you standing by your side. You are not alone.

Hugs

boiled x

Wishing you all the best, Sarah. So much gratitude to you.

Are you a claimant/applicant and they're respondents?

It will be interesting to see the case and any applications arising from it.

@EmbarrassingHadrosaurus

Yes I am the Claimant and Survivors Network are the Defendant.

My claims are indirect discrimination, victimisation and harassment.

I know they plan to strongly defend but I'm not sure the details of their defence.

I knew there was a discrimination aspect, they were discriminating against you as a woman needing a women-only space. But victimisation and harassment as well, that sounds really horrible for you and I am so sorry for that too

Yep harassment because I was put under pressure to speak about my sexual violence when I didn't feel comfortable to.

Victimisation because Survivors Network emailed me saying I was no longer welcome to come to their groups and I would have to attend an assessment if I wanted to use their services again.

Thanks for the support

I'm more horrified by what you've been put through with each piece of information Sarah, and you put it so matter of factly.

When we're so used to the extreme hyperbole over very little, its even more shocking to hear what you have experienced. I am so sorry. I will wait to hear how the indefensible is defended.

Thanks @Artichokeleaves

I have been paying for private counselling and taking antidepressants which has helped. I am trying to stay matter of fact.

However I walked past the building where the Survivors Network group meets the other day and burst into tears so I think it is getting to me.

💐 You are such a brave woman and I’m so sorry for all they have put you through. That they have the gall to act as though it’s justified is just incredible.

Got the defence info through today and to nobody's surprise the defending barrister they have instructed is Robin Moira White so that is who will be cross examining me.

They have quoted some false stats and denied quite a few things that I can prove to be true but other than that it is pretty much what I expected.

You have a great many women behind you Sarah. 💐

This is good news for your case if Robin's ability to construct a coherent argument on this site is anything to go by.

<buys fig rolls and popcorn>

Good luck Sarah, you have right, truth and the law on your side.

Statement from SN:

survivorsnetwork.org.uk/statement-on-legal-action-against-survivors-network/

Awful, disingenuous statement.

"The most important thing for us is the continued delivery of our services supporting survivors of sexual violence and abuse, and we want to reassure all of our current survivors and anyone seeking support that we are still here for you."

They forgot to add "provided you have the correct political opinions" at the end of that sentence.

Best wishes to you, Sarah, and thank you. RMW .

I saw that you have reached your stretch target. Do you need additional pledges at this moment?