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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Mermaids being investigated by the Charity Commission - thread 2

1000 replies

ResisterRex · 06/10/2022 05:55

The first thread, towards the end of which there was a discussion about having a second thread but it wasn't added:

Mermaids being investigated by the charity commission
http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/4644323-mermaids-being-investigated-by-the-charity-commissionn_

There's been a new development so maybe a second thread would be useful:

Lottery pauses trans charity cash during investigation

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/c959a286-44e4-11ed-8885-043c27446b97?shareToken=6d482edb1a386656502f33453da5c230

OP posts:
Thread gallery
117
Mollyollydolly · 11/10/2022 18:22

Maw was at the LGBA tribunal sat with Mermaids staff according to Helen Joyce and Julie Bindel so presumably still employed by them at that point.

TheClogLady · 11/10/2022 18:24

Mew’s linked in now says employment ended October 2022.

So I’m thinking this morning?

Mermaids being investigated by the Charity Commission - thread 2
BordoisAgain · 11/10/2022 18:26

Out of interest, has any other charity or activity sector attracted employees, volunteers or trustees with interests like cchildren's organisations seem to?

Is the RSPB a hotbed of BDSM?
Do SAGA organise swinging cruises?

Birdsweepsin · 11/10/2022 18:27

Mew is just a symptom, I actually feel somewhat sorry for themselfs.

Birdsweepsin · 11/10/2022 18:29

BordoisAgain · 11/10/2022 18:26

Out of interest, has any other charity or activity sector attracted employees, volunteers or trustees with interests like cchildren's organisations seem to?

Is the RSPB a hotbed of BDSM?
Do SAGA organise swinging cruises?

My grandmother once called M&S ... S&M. If that helps

TheClogLady · 11/10/2022 18:30

Yeah. It’s like rubberman at the NSPCC - neither should ever have been considered suitable employees at a charity for vulnerable children.

The charity is at fault, but the never-should’ve-been-hired individual is getting a shoe-ing in the press.

The Chair of Trustees and the CEO need to step up and take the blame.

DameMaud · 11/10/2022 18:31

ResisterRex · 11/10/2022 17:57

Just had a look and there's a case management hearing scheduled for 20 Oct in the Esses case.

Oh thanks Rex

MrsOvertonsWindow · 11/10/2022 18:37

Unformidable · 11/10/2022 18:02

And DfE has removed Mermaids from school wellbeing resources schoolsweek.co.uk/dfe-removes-trans-charity-mermaids-from-school-wellbeing-resources/

I've written to my MP asking why the DfE have not advised schools to do the same and ask why they still direct GIRES, Gendered Intelligence, Stonewall and other lobby groups who ALL reference / recommend schools to Mermaids. The information about the safeguarding lapses and Mermaid's failure to acknowledge the problems is now public.
There needs to be a swift examination of all these groups seeking to influence children and schools about sexual identity and relationships. Scepticism is the order of the day with an assumption these other adult groups may have the same casual relationship to safeguarding children given their refusal to condemn Mermaids.

rogdmum · 11/10/2022 22:04

I find this quite upsetting but it shows how normalised binding is for GD girls/women. Former Head of Legal at Mermaids tweets about the impact of binding. Yet Mermaids are happy to send out binders to young adolescent girls behind their parents backs?

“Nb to those who need a binder break: not binding in public doesn’t mean ur dysphoria isn’t valid and/or won’t be believed. If you’re struggling - rest. I know it’s not always easy, but anyone that makes it harder isn’t worth the energy. #binding #TransIsBeautiful”

”I’ve been binding for several years now, still on the GIC waiting list & can’t afford private. My breathing started to be impacted & had no choice but to try safe alternatives some days:big shirts & tight sport bras. Found u can get decent results & give ur #chestarest”

twitter.com/luiasquith/status/1573019009796435968?s=61&t=gkgnT0mad-QeqT84LSNSEw

ArabellaScott · 11/10/2022 22:43

MrsOvertonsWindow · 11/10/2022 18:37

I've written to my MP asking why the DfE have not advised schools to do the same and ask why they still direct GIRES, Gendered Intelligence, Stonewall and other lobby groups who ALL reference / recommend schools to Mermaids. The information about the safeguarding lapses and Mermaid's failure to acknowledge the problems is now public.
There needs to be a swift examination of all these groups seeking to influence children and schools about sexual identity and relationships. Scepticism is the order of the day with an assumption these other adult groups may have the same casual relationship to safeguarding children given their refusal to condemn Mermaids.

Very good point, well done.

WarriorN · 12/10/2022 06:21

rogdmum · 11/10/2022 22:04

I find this quite upsetting but it shows how normalised binding is for GD girls/women. Former Head of Legal at Mermaids tweets about the impact of binding. Yet Mermaids are happy to send out binders to young adolescent girls behind their parents backs?

“Nb to those who need a binder break: not binding in public doesn’t mean ur dysphoria isn’t valid and/or won’t be believed. If you’re struggling - rest. I know it’s not always easy, but anyone that makes it harder isn’t worth the energy. #binding #TransIsBeautiful”

”I’ve been binding for several years now, still on the GIC waiting list & can’t afford private. My breathing started to be impacted & had no choice but to try safe alternatives some days:big shirts & tight sport bras. Found u can get decent results & give ur #chestarest”

twitter.com/luiasquith/status/1573019009796435968?s=61&t=gkgnT0mad-QeqT84LSNSEw

It reads like self harm advice, how to "do it better."

ResisterRex · 12/10/2022 06:24

A thread of what's been said by Mermaids and others (CPS) about binders. Begins:

"Who told a Parliamentary committee that "young people often develop musculo-skeletal problems as result of wearing binders"?

Yes, it was @ Mermaids_Gender"

data.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/committeeevidence.svc/evidencedocument/women-and-equalities-committee/transgender-equality/written/19540.pdf

twitter.com/nurtural_uk/status/1579958134659244032?s=46&t=vQdU052k69pAGG4pTwdogQ

OP posts:
Shakenotslurred · 12/10/2022 06:48

So what is the difference between mermaids giving tips in the harmful practice of binding and taking drugs to halt puberty, tips on ‘pro-ana’ websites in how to purge and tips on self har, websites about the best ways to self harm? Because honestly, I’m not seeing any differences at all.

MrsJamin · 12/10/2022 07:04

Nurtural_uk has done incredible work collating all of this. @Shakenotslurred there is no difference.

Shakenotslurred · 12/10/2022 07:08

Thankyou. I thought it was just me not seeing things. I’m off to have a look

RedToothBrush · 12/10/2022 07:40

Shakenotslurred · 12/10/2022 06:48

So what is the difference between mermaids giving tips in the harmful practice of binding and taking drugs to halt puberty, tips on ‘pro-ana’ websites in how to purge and tips on self har, websites about the best ways to self harm? Because honestly, I’m not seeing any differences at all.

Short answer :there isn't a difference.

ResisterRex · 12/10/2022 09:05

Replacing their Digital Engagement Officer (or recruiting more, since Mew's departure date has been opaque). Making sure the DBS checks are "trans inclusive":

https://twitter.com/ripx4nutmeg/status/1580099184396378112?s=46&t=4fhGmQ8wlxmFG7a2INFOIw

https://twitter.com/stueymaco/status/1579936761740156929?s=46&t=11zXn2l8KvTH3QToFC8QOA

https://mermaidsuk.org.uk/recruitment-growth/

mermaidsuk.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Application-Form.docx

"We know DBS checks can cause anxiety, specifically for trans people. Please know that we conduct the checks in a trans inclusive way, which will be explained to you before the search is commenced."

OP posts:
Datun · 12/10/2022 09:06

Shakenotslurred · 12/10/2022 06:48

So what is the difference between mermaids giving tips in the harmful practice of binding and taking drugs to halt puberty, tips on ‘pro-ana’ websites in how to purge and tips on self har, websites about the best ways to self harm? Because honestly, I’m not seeing any differences at all.

One difference is that Mermaids teach the ideology to the very children who subsequently ask them for treatment. Teach and treat.

All those little girls being asked who they identify with, Barbie or G I Joe? Might as well stamp G I Joe on the binder label.

Datun · 12/10/2022 09:15

We know DBS checks can cause anxiety, specifically for trans people.

What?? A criminal record check is specifically more anxious for trans people???

What on earth do they mean?

The application form says criminal records will not debar candidates and checks will be made in a 'trans inclusive' way

They just said they have stringent safeguarding checks.

Christ. They hire Breslaw and Mew, whilst protesting that they use DBS checks and safeguarding protocols, but also you can be a criminal and your DBS showing that up may not matter if you're trans?

LemonRedwood · 12/10/2022 09:58

Just jumping on mid-work meeting to post this so someone may already have mentioned it but the Department for Education have removed Mermaids from their list of recommended resources in their health & wellbeing guidance. Just saw this in my list of DfE updates this morning

Mermaids being investigated by the Charity Commission - thread 2
Beowulfa · 12/10/2022 10:00

BordoisAgain · 11/10/2022 18:26

Out of interest, has any other charity or activity sector attracted employees, volunteers or trustees with interests like cchildren's organisations seem to?

Is the RSPB a hotbed of BDSM?
Do SAGA organise swinging cruises?

Yes, I wonder how often trustees/techie officers at the likes of the Badger Trust, Surfers Against Sewage and Dementia UK post images of themselves in a cock collage. A proper old-school investigation into the safeguarding of all UK childrens charities could be a great journalism scoop.

PerfectlyPreservedQuagaarWarrior · 12/10/2022 10:51

Quite a picture you paint there!

Shortpoet · 12/10/2022 11:51

This comment from the times “Screenshots seen by The Times also show users openly arranging to move their conversations about experimental drug treatments and medical transition on to even less supervised platforms, such as Discord, with the tacit approval of Mermaids moderators.”

Im seeing it argued on twitter that it’s not a safeguarding fail because tacit means “didn’t stop them” and it’s not up to mermaids what servers people use.

Could someone who is more versed on safeguarding fill me in please? I’m sure they should have flagged it as an issue (to whom though) and shut down the conversations about moving happening on their servers.

TheClogLady · 12/10/2022 11:58

Shortpoet · 12/10/2022 11:51

This comment from the times “Screenshots seen by The Times also show users openly arranging to move their conversations about experimental drug treatments and medical transition on to even less supervised platforms, such as Discord, with the tacit approval of Mermaids moderators.”

Im seeing it argued on twitter that it’s not a safeguarding fail because tacit means “didn’t stop them” and it’s not up to mermaids what servers people use.

Could someone who is more versed on safeguarding fill me in please? I’m sure they should have flagged it as an issue (to whom though) and shut down the conversations about moving happening on their servers.

mforstater.medium.com/why-my-twitter-account-has-been-suspended-66c8e4c81846

Extract:

The Charity Commission has now opened a compliance case about Mermaids. One of the incidents reported was from a mother whose 14-year-old son had been communicating with strangers in secret on the Mermaids website, and then, encouraged by Mermaids staff, moved on to Discord, where strangers persuaded him to send photos of himself in sexualised poses in his bedroom. “He felt they were his friends,” she said.
Jolyon Maugham, who together with Mermaids and the LGBT Consortium initiated a case to have the LGB Alliance struck off as a registered charity, gives an indication of their defence. He called the Times’ tweet about this child being abused online “pathologically dishonest” and said Mermaids is blameless and deserving of solidarity, because it was not on the Mermaids website where the child had sent and received sexually explicit images from strangers.

Mermaids may not have been running the server, but it has a culture where staff promote the idea that it ok for children to talk about their bodies with strangers on the internet, to keep secrets from their parents (including receiving breast binders), and to share and be exposed to sexualised and disturbing photographs.
It is good news that the Charity Commission is reviewing Mermaids’ safeguarding compliance. But safeguarding is not the Charity Commission’s core competence, and the problem isn’t really one charity.
But the corruption of safeguarding, by queer theory, and fear-driven overindulgence of anything justified as LGBTQIA+ inclusion, has been going on in plain sight across large parts of the voluntary sector, the arts, the public sector, universities and beyond, for years. It requires more than a few face-saving exits, by expendable fall-guys like Bergdorf, Makings, Breslow and Mew.
It is time the Children’s Commissioner stepped in to investigate how policies and cultures driven by concern for “LGBTQIA+ inclusion” have undermined safeguarding. And it is time the leadership of these organisations is held accountable.

Mollyollydolly · 12/10/2022 12:35

An MP has just asked a question about the Mermaids investigation in Parliament of Truss. Was in the kitchen and didn't get the details, but it's there now in Hansard.

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