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

Hi @AmaryllisNightAndDay 👋

Thanks for checking in. We are currently waiting for Brighton county court to confirm timings. It's all going very slowly.

The EHRC has asked to see the pleadings so they may wish to intervene. They did so in Maya Forstater's case.

I will update this thread as soon as I hear anything.

The garden is good for now, but thank you for asking ❤️

A woman (who I've never met) in Brighton has written this email to Survivors Network and her friend has posted it on Twitter.

If the author is reading this, thank you 🙏

twitter.com/msannaphylaxis/status/1597749251505016832?s=46&t=CD-dQuQGwNS8tpgvORd0HA

Wow! That's an amazing letter. BUT I'm so disgusted to read all the things you've had thrown at you over the course of this. I don't do Twitter so I knew you were getting some shit but I didn't realise the magnitude of it. I'm truly sorry.

Remember, you are not alone, we are right there by your side.

Boiled x

Absolutely magnificent letter. It's good to know you're getting support like that, but it must feel like a drop in the ocean in the face of the tsunami of shit flying at you in the opposite direction. There are an awful lot of us out here, so grateful for what you've taken on but simultaneously appalled by what you've been subjected to. Just wanted to acknowledge that, sometimes it feels like clicking the donate button isn't enough..

Brilliant letter. Both incandescently furious and beautifully eloquent.

Absolutely this. Wishing you all the best, Sarah.

Great email! I am keeping everything crossed for you. And horrified by what you've been put through just for asking for something so basic to our needs as women. Women's own space to find our strength, our own space to recover in.

How much courage it must have taken to get this far through all this. So yes I am thinking of you and I am grateful for what you've done and what you are doing. xx

❤️ Wishing you all the best here too Sarah.

Nothing else to add except my love and support 💐

Fantastic letter Sarah ! Thank you for sharing it.

What a great letter. I hope it is shared widely not only for what it says but to get Survivors Network to make a public response.

Hoping all the best for you Sarah and it must be good to know you have support locally.

Take care of yourself.

@IamSarah apologies for posting here as a male.

As a father who worries that my wife or daughter may someday face similar crimes to what you have faced, I just wanted to say that I am sorry that you have gone through what you have gone through, and I am grateful that you are now bringing the fight that you are bringing, even though you should not have to. If there is anything I or other males can do to be supportive, then please let us know using any communication method that is comfortable for you.

Thank you everyone, it's a fab email isn't it? I am really grateful for the support.

Apparently she has received a short reply which basically says nothing. At least they read it (I hope).

So this happened today!

I had no idea about JK Rowling's incredible plan to fund and launch a women's refuge in Scotland.

Having someone as high profile as JKR supporting single sex rape crisis centres is just brilliant.

You and she are on the same team! 💕💕💕💐💐💐
Love that. 💪👌

That's amazing, Sarah! Isn't she incredible?

I hope you're continuing to hold up throughout this ordeal. Been thinking of you. You're making some waves, and as the above post shows, are starting to have a big impact. Women everywhere owe you - and I salute you. There are a lot of people behind you, and I hope that at least gives you strength and comfort

I thought of you when I read about JKR this morning.

Hope things are going OK for you at the moment.

You are doing a great thing for women.

We are proud of you you know.💐

I've been thinking about you too today after the JKR news!

Amazing that someone so smart, generous and canny is on our side. Obviously it's a fantastic thing she's done for the women who need this service, but it also throws more light on the issue.

Have a wonderful Christmas Sarah.

Thanks for sharing - great letter, wish I had that level of eloquence. Still rooting for you at this end too 💐

I’ve also been thinking of you, Sarah. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if there could be a whole network of JK’s centres (you know, the sort of thing we used to have)? It must be an incredible feeling to know she is following you!

Thank you so much everyone. JKR and I have exchanged a few messages on Twitter. I am in complete awe of her.

It feels pretty incredible that someone with her profile would shine a spotlight on the lack of women's rape crisis services and actually fund one. Absolute legend.

Amazing news!

P.s. I’m sure she’s already aware of it @IamSarah but maybe if you communicate with JKR again (and if it feels ok for you) you could ask her to consider publicising this vital petition? :

‘Update the Equality Act to make clear the characteristic “sex” is biological sex‘

So important for protecting women’s spaces. We’re at +40k now 🙂

Sarah, that’s wonderful. I hope you have a peaceful Christmas and know that women will continue to support you in your fight. x

Hi Sarah. I was just thinking of you the day before yesterday and was wondering how you were getting on.

I checked your donations page and was pleased to see that it’s all looking good there.

Thank you for deciding to take this on. It’s something that must take a huge amount of mental and emotional effort to do, and I respect you greatly for it. So amazing that JKR gave you that extra boost too.

We’re going to get there in the end!