Former SNP equalities officer jailed for sex assaults

[redfacebigdisgrace]

Former SNP equalities officer jailed for sex assaults

https://www.thetimes.com/article/54f35d13-4e98-4466-aaea-a62a542752b4?shareToken=489b7127d4ddf75cbb95fbc8a383ba6e

Why am I not shocked?

But this never happens...

Well that was totally unexpected...

Thinking of those who he attacked.

The use of the 'brain isn't developed until 25 years old' rule in sentencing is particularly inappropriate in cases involving sexual assault/abuse.

The SNP seem to have done their level best to place deeply unpleasant (and in this case, sex offender) activists into positions of power.

There's a painting of him in the Scottish Portrait Gallery. I do wonder if the Gallery will, at the very least, add an explanatory note as to the actions of this man.

The use of the 'brain isn't developed until 25 years old' rule in sentencing is particularly inappropriate in cases involving sexual assault/abuse.

It's also particularly inappropriate in general in Scotland where the age of legal capacity is 16, 16 year olds are able to vote, and the stalled GRR allows transition at 16 - and which is the only country in Europe that has NOT made a commitment to raise the legal age of marriage to 18.

Has anyone in relevant authority actually listed out and substantiated the specific cognitive areas in which Scots are two years more advanced than the rest of Europe versus the ones in which they are seven years behind?

I think his photograph is in The archive at MOD2 actually wait (although not sure what difference that makes)

the whole poor men have no idea of wrong from right until they're 25 thing makes me furious, his age makes no difference to the damage he has wrought on others' lives

more discussion on this man here
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/womens_rights/5096940-ex-snp-activist-who-wanted-to-beat-feminists-jailed-for-sexually-assaulting-young-adults?page=2&reply=136841101

Ah, you're right re: the portrait - thanks.

It's true about brains but I'm not sure that means anyone should receive a lesser sentence for sexual and violent crimes. How much rehabilitation happens in prison is a separate issue and not something to stake against protecting the public against violent men.

It does mean of course that people shouldn't be given cross sex hormones until mid 20s as I'm sure the defendant would agree!!!

Though I think I've worked out where I got confused - the photo was exhibited at the Scottish Portrait Gallery as part of the Counted: Scotland's Census 2022 exhibition, which I went to see.

Anyway, I'll come away from my tangent as it's not really important.

I asked them to take the link to the portrait off their website. Thinking of the victims.

I expect Downing specifically said this never happens.

Tbf I double checked because I remember seeing similar photographs at SPG & had a weird horror at the thought he had been part of a lovely day I had with my kids - happily it was too recently to have been there.

It's always the fucking same with these men.

Hiding in plain sight, getting the top jobs.

Scotland, SNP, no surprise.

His poor, poor victims, 6 years is nothing for what he's done to them.

Exactly.

Another one. It's sickening.

Just quickly posting this and no time to follow up but if anyone is on twitter this really is beyond comprehension.

I think one of the most shocking things about the Cameron Downing situation is that he was a service user of Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre. Did that mean he had access to vulnerable women? Given what we know about him now, this is another vile failure of the LGBTYS accredited ERCC

Even in the madest of events happening in Scotland (and no doubt elsewhere) this just doesn't make sense.

The twitter link is to Scottish Feminist Network so if anyone has more info or can in any way explain how this happened ......
https://x.com/wundtvil/status/1813235335775588812/photo/2

Or is there info on the other thread.

If this is really true it deserves a thread of its own just so the FWR title gets picked up by search engines.

There aren't enough emojis to express how i feel.

Sorry if published elsewhere but when I saw this I thought my head was going to explode so came here to (as it where) scream - somebody make this stop.

It's awful @IwantToRetire just awful... I'm not on Twitter but can see the screenshot when I click. Ugh. Hoping this is shared far and wide.

And Ms Rowling, who previously criticised Downing over his violent tweets, hit out at the fact he was able to use Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre while offending. She said: "That a male sexual predator was able to access the services of the Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre should beggar belief, but, of course, it doesn't. ERCC is still run by the trans-identified male who believes women who want single-sex services are bigots."

https://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/news/politics/joanna-cherry-claims-sex-offender-33266696

The Guardian conspicuous in its lack of reporting on this.