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

You are an amazing strong woman. Of course they should provide services to transwomen who have been raped. But so many traumatised women need female only spaces. And they should also be providing services to those women.

Hugs to you @IamSarah I donated to your case and I will keep on donating as long as you need. We have your back

Thank you for the messages of support, I am not exaggerating when I say they are keeping me going.

Had a shit day today, I couldn't focus at work at all. Kept getting really upset about the things SN put in the defence statement and this is only the beginning. There will be witness statements next and then the actual court case.

There was nobody I could talk to IRL today but my barrister very kindly let me rant to her over WhatsApp!

I did have a wobble after reading the defence thinking why am I putting myself through this, I could make it all go away by just accepting that male validation has to take priority over the recovery of female rape survivors.

But anyway, I had a word with myself and I'm not accepting that! And thank you again to everyone who has been so supportive. I honestly couldn't do it without the words of encouragement.

All you are doing is telling your truth. That is both incredibly brave, and incredibly powerful.

Bon courage to you.

Thanks Arabella.

Naomi Cunningham (my barrister) gave me similar advice, she pointed out as long as I tell the truth with no exaggeration then all will be fine.

Go Sarah. You are just telling the truth

Oh I’m so glad someone is doing this! You are amazing! I tried to join a rape survivors group in Guildford and was told there would be male victims at the group too - I chose not to receive support because of this. There needs to be a safe space for women to talk. Well done, I’m rooting for you! 💐

I am with you Sarah, what you're doing is so important and I only wish the strain of it wasn't yours to bear. It's people like you who make the good things we do benefit from in society. Nothing worth having has ever been gifted easily.
I'm so glad to read your update, I added seeds to the garden a while back and wasn't sure where it had got to. So glad you're still weeding and hope you enjoy an amazing display of beautiful flowers for your efforts in time.

Hope you get some support IRL this weekend but in the meantime we are all willing you on. You know that right is on your side and so do we.

That statement is really something…completely appalling. Why can’t they apologise, set up groups for women only, trans only, men only and acknowledge they have truly fucked up. There was a useful email at the end I noticed.
I really hope that Sarah and her lawyers will show up the TWAW stance as the lie it is. And that she gets a big payout.

Sarah, you are in safe, caring & brilliant hands with Naomi. Both of you are strong, brave women. You have an an army of women behind the both of you 💐 💐

You've got this and we have got you!

I can't really grasp just how badass you must be to be fighting this when it's about something so immensely personal.

So much of this fight we are all in is about the negotiation between individual and societal and you are here doing both at the same time.

✊✊✊

Thank you for more lovely messages, they were great to wake up to this morning.

I need to compartmentalise and try and keep the legal action separate from work and family life I think.

I got in touch with my counsellor to see if I can re-start the sessions but she is fully booked. Does anyone happen to know of a female, GC counsellor based in Sussex? Who has expertise with sexual abuse and rape. Please DM if so.

Bumping for you Sarah.
I really hope you find someone

You are amazing Sarah. Never forget that.

I wonder if genspect might be able to help? I will ask about, Sarah. A great idea to get extra support in place.

Interview (link below) with the CEO of Survivors Network from earlier in the year. It gives some interesting (unrelated to Sarah's litigation) background, I thought.

The CEO is a mother of four teenagers, btw, including three daughters.

@IamSarah please don't watch if seeing/hearing Jay will upset you 💐

You can click on the video and it will open in YouTube, so please ignore the 'video has been disabled' message.

Those two on that look & sound like smug fools. What a right pair of Idiot bookends they are.

Sarah, thank you for finding the strength to stand up against these bullies, given the circumstances.

You are one brave woman who is helping shine sunlight on this and even if you don't win, you are making a huge difference to all women.

I am sending you positive support vibes from Australia.

Thank you for sharing the video. The CEO of SN has refused to speak to me, I have tried to get in touch with her many times to see if the problems could be resolved without legal action but heard nothing back.

• [Last line removed by MNHQ at OP's request.]

Well That’s a Bonus,

para.19 is a recent commentary on RMW’s work.

That banner really makes it clear that there are some individuals who are sexually aroused by forcing themselves into women’s spaces.

Absolutely saying the quiet bit out loud. Hopefully Naomi Cunningham can do a dissection similar to those completed by B.C. with those in charge whilst they are giving evidence.