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I see those trying to deprive women victim-survivors of sexual and domestic violence and abuse, including prostitution, of their legal right to single-sex services from specialist independent organisations have come out to play again.
Firstly - it is perfectly straightforward and contains no contradictions to support universal human rights AND sex based rights and protections - and in doing so to prioritise the well-being of women, particularly those who have been subjected to men's violence.
I have made no secret of my belief in the importance of single-sex services for women who've been subjected to men's violence - but don't listen to what other people say I say, read what I say myself for yourself (if you're interested). Links follow.
Personally, I think this is one of the most important things that I've written:
Trauma-Informed Services for Women Subjected to Men’s Violence Must be Single-Sex Services https://kareningalasmith.wordpress.com/2020/07/08/trauma-informed-services-for-women-subjected-to-mens-violence-must-be-single-sex-services/
Trauma-Informed Services for Women Subjected to Men’s Violence Must be Single-Sex Services https://kareningalasmith.wordpress.com/2020/07/08/trauma-informed-services-for-women-subjected-to-mens-violence-must-be-single-sex-services/
This is a slightly broader piece, I gave it as a speech in Scottish Parliament about this time last year: The importance of women only spaces and services for women and girls who've been subjected to men's violence https://kareningalasmith.wordpress.com/2020/01/20/the-importance-of-women-only-spaces-and-services-for-women-and-girls-whove-been-subjected-to-mens-violence/
From a different angle, I wrote this about why Counting Dead Women is about women killed by men - and no one else: https://kareningalasmith.com/2019/07/27/counting-dead-women-and-counting-people-who-identify-as-transgender/
I can accept that some women say that they don't think single sex services are important for women survivors of men's violence, fine.
But don't you try to rob women who do need and want them of their legal right to those spaces.
But don't you try to rob women who do need and want them of their legal right to those spaces.
nia, the charity I work for prioritises women and utilises the single-sex exemptions permitted in the Equality Act; in some cases, our contracts require that we work with males. We never do this in women-only spaces, where we do, those males, are treated with compassion & dignity
