Rape crisis centre cuts ties with Scottish charity in row over gender and women-only spaces

There is turmoil at Scotland's national rape crisis charity after one of the country's biggest support centres cut all ties over a row about gender and women-only spaces. 

Rape Crisis Scotland (RCS), which is the national body that sets service standards for member centres, has been embroiled in controversy over recent failings at the Edinburgh branch.

A recent independent review found Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre (ERCC) guilty of failing to provide women-only spaces for 16 months.

It was revealed the local chief executive - trans woman Mridul Wadhwa - had not acted professionally or understood the limits of her authority.

Ms Wadhwa quit the job after her leadership was branded "not fit for purpose" by some politicians.

The investigation was triggered after an employment tribunal found former ERCC employee Roz Adams had been constructively dismissed over her "gender critical beliefs".

The tribunal heard it appeared that Ms Wadhwa had formed the view that Ms Adams was transphobic, which led to a "completely spurious and mishandled" disciplinary process.

But wider questions have been swirling around the national taxpayer-funded RCS after it emerged bosses had become aware national guidance was not being followed in Edinburgh last year.

The body's chief executive, Sandy Brindley, also angered some survivors and campaigners after saying she could see no reason why transgender people could not work in sexual assault support centres.

However, Ms Brindley said units should provide women-only spaces too.

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In a shock announcement on Thursday, the Glasgow and Clyde Rape Crisis (GCRC) centre revealed it was terminating its relationship with the national charity citing concerns over single-sex areas.

A GCRC statement said: "We were created to provide support by and for women.

"We believe, and women have consistently told us, that single-sex services delivered by an all-female workforce are crucial to help them heal from sexual trauma.

"This approach remains our priority but is at odds with Rape Crisis Scotland."

Harry Potter author JK Rowling, a high-profile campaigner on women's rights, welcomed the news.

She posted on X - "Glasgow has a single-sex rape crisis centre again" - adding a celebration emoji.

A spokesperson for RCS said the charity wishes the Glasgow centre "well" for the future.

"Our member centres deliver services in a variety of ways, tailored to the needs of the communities they serve," they said.

"What is fundamental across all rape crisis services is that survivors' needs are at the centre of their provision."

They added: "All rape crisis centres must provide women-only spaces within their service but how they define this is currently for individual centres to decide.

"Rape crisis centres can provide single-sex spaces within Rape Crisis Scotland - and many do.

"The independent review of Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre, published last month, recommended that Rape Crisis Scotland facilitate a shared approach across centres. This work is under way."

The Scottish Conservatives said GCRC deserved credit for taking a "principled stance".

Deputy leader Rachael Hamilton MSP said: "It is just common sense that rape crisis centres across Scotland should be a safe haven for women but shamefully that has not been the case.

"This decision will rightly be applauded and should be the catalyst for an urgent change in the culture within Rape Crisis Scotland. Only then will there be any possibility of them ever regaining the trust of women and girls."

(c) Sky News 2024: Rape crisis centre cuts ties with Scottish charity in row over gender and women-only spaces