Anyone following the James Esses vs UKCP test case?

[WomenShouldWinWomensSports]

Just seen this on DM website. So far he has won the right to sue and the therapeutic approach to gender seems to be the central issue: www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11331573/Ex-barrister-wins-right-sue-kicked-degree-gender-critical-views.html
What happens next? Do they wait months and months for another hearing or do they tend to happen quite fast once the preliminary has reached court?

That's a great letter from the Free Speech Union. Do we know what the outcome of the Prof James Treadwell case was? I couldn't see anything online.

@TheBiologyStupid

Well on his staffs uni profile he is still working at the uni. I've asked free speech union if they could put us in contact.

Thanks, Sparkly.

So late this afternoon I had the meeting. 3 issues were brought to the table despite only 2 being proposed. Again I felt blindsided and unsure how to respond so as not to come across as defensive or unprofessional. Unsurprisingly my GC views were literally tested as there was a jump made straight to conversion therapy. I asked where the evidence for this was. Didn't seem to matter, they were holding all the cards. I stated I didn't feel comfortable discussing my GC views in that space and they responded by stating refusal to answer may lead to informal FTP which of course I don't want to do. So I answered - seemingly to their satisfaction. The second issue concerning how unsafe it all felt didn't seem to be truly taken on board and again by not exploring in the training space could constitute a professional issue. The third issue was concerning a previous professional qualification that I had failed to put on my application form yet I talked about med school extensively in my personal statement as it informed my choice to practice psychotherapy. They quizzed whether it was a FTP issue for me not completing. It wasn't and instead occurred owing to severe mental health issues. I found this final issue extremely triggering as leaving medicine was an extremely difficult decision to make and I am still plagued with massive feelings of failure. I stated they are free to enquire as they please but to not bring it up again as I know there were no FTP issues and I find the topic distressing. Going forward I stated I wanted to draw a line through it, start fresh - I just want to get through my training.

Tbh I feel like a complete twat as the med school completely threw me and I ended up crying. Lots. I hate the fact that I got upset in that space and although some of my feedback was taken on board it didn't feel that the fact that this one tutor continuously escalates things so creates an atmosphere of mistrust was really heard.

I now have to come to some type of common ground in my head where I can stay present but cautious in my training and still finish reasonably intact!

@Sparklybutold I know fuck all about the forms and procedures, in fact, about anything but, I'm feeling a bit tearful on your behalf and feel someone over there should be ashamed of themselves.

I'm so sorry. Sending you all my best wishes.

Sparkly, did you have anyone in the meeting with you?
This all sounds completely out of proportion to me.
If no one took notes for you at the time make sure you sit down now and make full notes of what they said & what you said. Don't leave it long! Then you will have your own record. And you can go back to your sources of advice eg the students union and free speech union & tell them what happened.
I wish you all the best.

Also, I'm sorry. This is crap. I hope you get everything you need out of the rest if the course. ❤️

@Manderleyagain the union rep was there - he was a bit crap tbh

7 months!!! It's 7 months!!!!

That sounds so stressful Sparkly! So sorry you had to go through all that 💐
I've been away and only just caught up with the latest developments. I agree with Manderley- in wondering if you managed to record the meeting in any form. I do hope for you that the rest of your training doesn't cause any more stress at that level and that you get continued good support from your supervisor and therapist

@DameMaud hi Dame - thankyou for your continued interest. I will write down everything. Once I've finished training I'll see whether I want to pursue legal. But for now - head down and finish.

I am talking to the bacp tomorrow so will enquire about the jump from GC to meaning a therapist is conducting conversion therapy! The insinuation was that GC means I can't possibly work ethically with transwomen.

Be very interesting to hear their response Sparkly!
And yes, focussing on getting qualified and maintaining your own wellbeing in the process for now is the best way forward I think.

Spoke to back directly. Although they could advice they did reiterate the responsibilities of trainers. Which in my opinion, my trainers have fallen short. They also gave me contact details for the accreditation side so ill contact them in due course. Unsurprisingly she did echo that my issue was a common issue. In terms of the link between being GC and therefore providing unethical care in the form of conversion therapy - there is no evidence to suggest this.

Both tutor and union have emailed me the minutes for me to go through. Which I'll amend accordingly.

I'm aware today I feel shaky. I feel uncertain and also scared. I am also aware that being forced to attend a meeting and then to demonstrate vulnerability has left me feeling exposed. As an abuse survivor this has been very triggering. I will be outlining this fact in the report I have to check.

I'll be sending it to the free speech union with a view to complain once I'm qualified. So I'll start gathering the relevant information/evidence.

7 months.

That should be bacp

Sorry - couldn't advise

I'm aware I'm really scatty today

Take care of yourself, Sparkly. Can you rest up for a bit and allow yourself space to recover before responding?

@ArabellaScott

Really good advice. I'll be putting it aside and then I will go through it at the weekend.

Yes. Agreed. Not surprising at all how re-traumatising this has been for you @Sparklybutold .
Pause and re-ground.
I experienced similar in a training (which is why the Audre Lorde quote resonated so much) and I needed to look after myself after and hold fire on any urge to follow up while still dysregulated. What you've been through is a turbo version though!

Sparkly, it sounds like you did an incredible job in extremely upsetting circumstances. No shame in shedding a tear, you are human. This meeting (and the circumstances in which it was required) are stressful enough...but add in what sounds like some challenging history and additional points ...well no wonder you were blindsided.

Dig in... 7 months... its nothing. Try not to let this experience derail you.

As per previous posts try to find some time and energy to be kind to yourself.

Solidarity Sparkly.

You've been brilliantly brave and clear headed.

My mind boggles that a therapy training college can behave so ignorantly and unethically around retraumatising their own student.

I'd add though, that what you are doing right now has the potential to be different from a traumatic experience. Because you are doing something positive about the situation. You are not silenced and frozen, nor did you flee the course, or appease the tutor by renouncing your beliefs. Your body is obviously still going to provide the "fight" energy so make use of it by doing something active as part of your self care.