(A bit out of sync as I hadn't realised the other thread had closed, so may not make much sense here)
Letter signed by Rape Crisis Scotland, January 2023, which talks about SSE but then goes on to say -
That is the point I am trying to make.
Rape Crisis Scotland as the federation management group reflects what is being said or done by their members. They don't dictate policy, they reflect it. Which is how WA (WAFE) in England runs and Rape Crisis England.
But because they have said members of the federated group operate services that include TW doesn't mean its a Federation policy imposed on member groups by them.
That is why their statement re the court keys is of note. And I checked and it was issued 4 days after the case started.
So whether for pragmatic reasons, or actual beliefs, for a funded group is Scotland to make this statement is significant (if a bit after the facts. (Do you remember the video of the meeting where all those women sat saying nothing when a woman at the podium tried to challenge Nicola Sturgeon)
And that is why I also said about groups not being the playthings of individuals, because that is the problem. Many groups are run by people who have no experience or training, and probably no commitment to say feminism. And employ people like them ie not on the basis of belief based practices. And to some people VCS jobs are well paid and with benefits.
This rot set in years ago. Long before trans issues became more dominant. Within a few years of women's groups getting funding, funders and local governments were saying there is no longer any need for women only services.
The TRA agenda has always had the MRA agenda to base itself on.
But one of the other factors all of us need to remember, is that if all of us who say we think this is a primary concern for women's groups were actively involved as MC members, volunteers or whatever, the gradual mission drift of so many groups might not have happened.
As I said up thread, commenting on FWR is one thing, but it will never have the same impact as being there in person.
Voluntary sector groups just like other organisations, can by hijacked by individual agendas, as much as by a weak MC.
If none of us were there or are prepared to be there, it is another reason why things fall apart.
And by the time we notice it is too late and we spend all our time playing catch up.
Or waiting for an individual woman to stand up and we all clap from a distance.