Mumsnet campaign on VAWG includes men in their definition of women

[Luno]

I'm not sure if/how I can link to it but under Mumsnet campaigns Women in data have published a survey about violence against women and girls.

It talks about "ALL women", asks for sex assigned at birth and says you can answer on the basis of your "gender identity".

How can any organisation purported to be for the benefit of women include men in their definition of women? All of the data will be inaccurate, unscientific and u representative.

I have enjoyed that assignment of sex as a widespread historical fact!

It reminded me of the time I tried to Google the American right-wing commentator George Will, and of course got an enormous number of responses, most about some man called George who "will do something".

So I could have just decided that all of those were about this one person, right? Because this is a similar level problem.

And juniors working for groups seem to do exactly this. A colleague was invited to a survey the other day, in the name of a very reputable group, and read it in absolute horror as to the ableism, sexism, racism of the language and assumptions - she contacted the group, shared the survey and said wtf were they smoking and they pulled it, horrified, saying they had had no idea it was up and no one at a higher level had approved it.

"This thread has been withdrawn
On the back of your comments here we decided to take this down. We'll be sure to relay all your concerns about the survey. Thanks, MNHQ."

Fair play to MN for removing it and for feeding back the fact that it’s a shit survey (I paraphrase obviously - I’m sure they’ll be more diplomatic). Quite why they ever thought it was a good idea to share though I’m not sure.

Yes, well done MNHQ for acting on the feedback.

Ahhh great. Well done MN.

Well done MNHQ.

I assume lots of us reported the thread, I know I did!
Pity MNHQ didn't have a good look at the survey before they posted the link, though.

I made a complaint about a similar survey from a small local festival, which was required by some Arts body due to them providing some funding towards one of the events.

Obviously none of the Festival organisers had actually checked what the survey was asking!

Fucking shameful. Maybe if I 'identify' as male I won't get sexually assaulted? Rape threats? You've lost the fucking plot 😡😡😡😡😡

I've just had an email inviting me to take part in the survey. No thanks.

A new email (arrived today) or one that you've only just read? The survey got deleted ...

I was sent it tonight from mumsnet. I was surprised because I thought it had been got rid of.

Are the "sex assigned at birth" and gender identity questions still there?

Yes

They've put it back up!

MNHQ: Help break the silence around violence against women and girls by filling out this survey 2 replies

NicolaDMumsnet · Yesterday 11:08
Hello,

The police receive a domestic abuse-related call every 30 seconds but it is estimated that less than 24% of domestic abuse crime is reported to the police.

Women in Data® are working to change that reporting gap, to understand the societal, social and economic impact of such abuse and make recommendations for change.

To do so, they want to hear about the lived experienced of women over the age of 18. Share your experience by filling out their survey.

We know that Mumsnet users care deeply about the safety of women and girls, and have consistently advocated for better provision for women experiencing abuse. So please consider filling out this survey if you are able to help break the silence around violence against women and girls. Survey responses are anonymous unless you actively choose to identify yourself.

Following your comments, WID has made some adjustments to the survey including the question on gender identity, which is now optional. WID said: "By collecting both sex and gender identity, we can develop a better understanding of the influence of both of these factors and the intersection between them. This approach ensures that our data resonates with government agencies and policymakers, enhancing the potential impact of our findings."

Thanks,
MNHQ.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/mumsnet_campaigns/4901087-mnhq-help-break-the-silence-around-violence-against-women-and-girls-by-filling-out-this-survey

Wow they actually listened. It now says registered sex at birth (still not great as that assumes your sex can change) and the gender identity question has an option to say "I don't consider that I have a gender identity" or something similar. I'm really pleased that we made a difference.

The wording is "I don't consider myself yo have a gender identity".

That makes it sound like just an opinion.

I don't have a gender identity. That's a fact, just as it's a fact that I don't have a religion.

Out of interest, how are questions about religion phrased in surveys?

It's not perfect but it's an improvement, so can we allow Women (cough cough) In Data a golden bridge?

I think this wording is much better. Not perfect, but an improvement.

Out of interest, how are questions about religion phrased in surveys?

Usually with religion they list the most common religions and there is also an option to tick “none” or “no religion” whereas with GI questions the best you can hope for is “prefer not to answer”.