Mridul Wadhwa - Male CEO of Edinburgh Rape Crisis

I really tried to avoid this thread, but there is so much sense and truth posted by so many posters about the needs of the rape victim being more important than the feelings or desires of a transperson that I just wish to endorse those posts.
Whatever your beliefs, believe this. If you, as a woman have been attacked and raped by a man, you need the security of talking to a woman and the security of knowing that that woman won’t turn out to be a man and try to victimise you further by accusing you of bigotry and saying, or even just thinking, that you should ‘reframe your trauma.’

Chewbacca have you any evidence that this has actually happened? She has been working with women survivors for sometime. Have any of the women she has dealt with complained? During the 16years since she started working in the field of women's aid how many women have complaind that she forced them to do as you say?

It's really quite incredible, isn't it?

From The Times Scotland Aug 12th

Wadhwa left the SNP after MSPs overwhelmingly backed an amendment allowing survivors of rape and sexual violence to choose the person examining them on the basis of sex rather than gender.
Roddy Dunlop QC, dean of the Faculty of Advocates, challenged her comments, tweeting: “Rape Crisis does amazing work and I do not have their expertise or knowledge. But in my respectful view, there is nothing ‘bigoted’ in a victim of sexual violence wishing a say on whomsoever is to provide counselling at what must be a horrendously traumatic time.
“The issue is not who can access counselling; but rather whether those in need of counselling can choose who counsels them. Important distinction.”

So there we have it, transgender affirmation is far more important to Wadhwa than any traumatised rape victim.

trisher @ 17.18 touch said Which brings me back to the question I first asked, Is it fair that your prejudices and beliefs should influence the provison of care for rape victims?

My answer is: I believe that the only people who can provide care for rape victims is someone with whom the rape victim can feel safe. The victims feelings and needs are paramount and should supersede anything else. If the victim does feel prejudiced against a counsellor, for whatever reason, her request to change that counsellor for someone else that she feels more comfortable with, that should be respected.

Now... Please answer my question @ 17.28. Thank you.

trisher

I'm not borrowing anything I'm simply pointing out that as a result of all the negativity women who need help will probably not be able to access it. And actually you are doing more harm than the person you are complaining about. So it seems that your own beliefs and values take precedence over the victim's needs, which is precisely what you are blaming Mridul for doing.

You are totally blind to the absolute terror women feel after being abused by men.

A man in a dress (with a penis and testicles) can never relate to a female rape victim.

An agenda to get over transgender prejudices has no place in a female safe place

Sigh

I'm not borrowing anything I'm simply pointing out that as a result of all the negativity women who need help will probably not be able to access it. And actually you are doing more harm than the person you are complaining about. So it seems that your own beliefs and values take precedence over the victim's needs, which is precisely what you are blaming Mridul for doing.

Gendering babies and toddlers was a 20th century introduction. so perhaps we should have more flexibility.

Babies and toddlers do have a biological sex.
Yes, of course society should be less hung up about the stereotypes it imposes on young children.

And trishers classic

Now look what you’ve done. This is all your fault. You silly women.

Borrowing lines from the abusive males' script is a new low.

trisher

So the result of all the posting and transgender criticism is that a rape centre can't function properly. Great result. Which brings me back to the question I first asked, Is it fair that your prejudices and beliefs should influence the provison of care for rape victims?

I agree Chewbacca.

Drawing a line under what’s been done

You got hold of the wrong end of the stick

You’re making a fuss about nothing

And trishers classic

Now look what you’ve done. This is all your fault. You silly women.

Chewbacca

Exactly Doodledog. And he compounded that when, upon realising that there was widespread condemnation for his remarks, he claimed that old male chauvinist's trope; "my comments have been taken out of context", issued a non apology and insisted that "a line be drawn under it". My abusive exH used to demand that lines be drawn under his "mistakes" too. It's a man's way of shutting women down.

Chewbacca I totally agree, it’s difficult for folks who have never been in an abusive relationship (whether physical or mental) to understand that drawing a line under it (whatever it maybe) is enough to frighten the bejesus out of one.

Exactly Doodledog. And he compounded that when, upon realising that there was widespread condemnation for his remarks, he claimed that old male chauvinist's trope; "my comments have been taken out of context", issued a non apology and insisted that "a line be drawn under it". My abusive exH used to demand that lines be drawn under his "mistakes" too. It's a man's way of shutting women down.

trisher

So the result of all the posting and transgender criticism is that a rape centre can't function properly. Great result. Which brings me back to the question I first asked, Is it fair that your prejudices and beliefs should influence the provison of care for rape victims?

I think that it is not 'posting and transgender criticism' that has resulted in the rape centre's malfunction. It is not even that a transwoman is at its head.

It is because the CEO has talked about bigots needing to reframe their trauma that the problems have occurred.

A CEO (of whatever gender) is responsible for messaging (or should leave it to the Comms team), and a transwoman heading up a rape crisis centre is inevitably going to attract attention, particularly when it gets out that she lied on the application form (whether by omission or otherwise).

To make the comment she did shows lack of competence, both in the role of CEO and in the role of counsellor. It also shows a woeful ignorance of how to use the media to the advantage of your institution.

Is it fair that your prejudices and beliefs should influence the provison of care for rape victims?

I'll turn that question right round to you trisher and counter it with: " Is it fair that a man should influence the rights of a woman, who has been sexually assaulted or raped by a man, when she specifically states that she is afraid of men, as a direct result of that assault, and does not want to in the same room as him?

trisher the job of CEO was advertised for female applicants only.

The person in the position of CEO is not a female.

It is not bigotry to think you cant change sex. It is not bigotry for some spaces to be for women only. It is part of the equality legislation. The fact that this was ignored is what has led to many women feeling unable to receive support from that centre.

trisher

So the result of all the posting and transgender criticism is that a rape centre can't function properly. Great result. Which brings me back to the question I first asked, Is it fair that your prejudices and beliefs should influence the provison of care for rape victims?

Unfortunately your support of all things trans has clouded your judgement.

If you are unable to see that pushing transgender issues in a Rape Crisis Centre is wrong on every level, you have a problem and are prejudiced against natural
born women in their time of need.

trisher

So the result of all the posting and transgender criticism is that a rape centre can't function properly. Great result. Which brings me back to the question I first asked, Is it fair that your prejudices and beliefs should influence the provison of care for rape victims?

It can't function properly because they appointed a man with a different agenda as CEO.

Trisher it's obvious that you just don't get it. There are none so blind as those that will not see.

So the result of all the posting and transgender criticism is that a rape centre can't function properly. Great result. Which brings me back to the question I first asked, Is it fair that your prejudices and beliefs should influence the provison of care for rape victims?

The majority of posters on this site are not comfortable (to put it mildly) with biological men having access to women who come to a Rape Crisis centre.

Mumsnet is awash with women who are appalled at the ethos prevailing at the Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre.

Twitter is laden with women who feel they could not go to Rape Crisis Centre where they would have to accept that biologically intact men will have access to them.

The Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre has lost the confidence of many women. Many now feel that it is not a place they would go to for help if they had been raped.

How can it continue now it has become a place of fear. A place where traumatised women believe they will be judged.

How can Wadhwa continue as CEO? She has lost the confidence of women both in Edinburgh and throughout the country.

The Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre can no longer function as a place for women who have been raped because it is no longer perceived as a safe place for them.

Callistemon

^lemon perhaps you could share with us the qualifications and experience that have helped you to this conclusion about an experienced and succesful worker in the field of violence and sexual assaults.^
Os is it simply because she is a trans women?

I'll also ask again she has experience both personal and professional of sexual violence and abuse. She has obviously worked with many women. Is it fair to deprive victims of her experience simply because of your personal prejudice

How patronising!

Just how much experience do you have trisher?
Less, I imagine, than other posters who think this is wrong.

If we read the transcript of what she said, it is clear that she IS NOT saying rape victims have to accept male support. It is asking that they rethink bigotry around trans issues. NOT in a counselling environment, but in general. By all means, take issue with her opinion on this. BUT don't make it into something it isn't.

Rape victims are not there to re-think any perceived bigotry on trans issues they may or may not have.

They are there because they need help

I will repeat: It's not about the counsellor - it's about the victim.

This new CEO obviously needs help, reassurance, re-affirmation of who he/she is but trying to find that reassurance from victims of rape who are there to seek help for their own traumas is just plain wrong on so many levels.

Excellent post. In the midst of a rape victims trauma, they must face their own bigotry about Trans . As if that is the be all and end all of the bloody nightmare a women finds herself in. Last thing they will think about.

Good post Callistemon I cannot see the need or relevance of how a rape victim feels or cares about trans issues

The women are at a Rape Crisis Centre because they have been raped and/or abused by men, it is neither the time or the place to bang-on about trans issues.

lemon perhaps you could share with us the qualifications and experience that have helped you to this conclusion about an experienced and succesful worker in the field of violence and sexual assaults.
Os is it simply because she is a trans women?

I'll also ask again she has experience both personal and professional of sexual violence and abuse. She has obviously worked with many women. Is it fair to deprive victims of her experience simply because of your personal prejudice

How patronising!

Just how much experience do you have trisher?
Less, I imagine, than other posters who think this is wrong.

If we read the transcript of what she said, it is clear that she IS NOT saying rape victims have to accept male support. It is asking that they rethink bigotry around trans issues. NOT in a counselling environment, but in general. By all means, take issue with her opinion on this. BUT don't make it into something it isn't.

Rape victims are not there to re-think any perceived bigotry on trans issues they may or may not have.

They are there because they need help

I will repeat: It's not about the counsellor - it's about the victim.

This new CEO obviously needs help, reassurance, re-affirmation of who he/she is but trying to find that reassurance from victims of rape who are there to seek help for their own traumas is just plain wrong on so many levels.