Latest news with #womensafety
Telegraph
9 hours ago
- Health
- Telegraph
Male criminals can self-identify as women in mental health hospitals
NHS mental health hospitals are allowing male criminals to self-identify as women, NHS documents have revealed. Trusts in London are permitting transgender women to use female-only spaces despite acknowledging their presence as a 'risk to a particular gender' and potentially 'very distressing for other patients on a single-sex ward'. Campaigners have accused the NHS of endangering the welfare of the 'most vulnerable women' by allowing transgender women, who were born male, on female wards. A women's rights group used Freedom of Information (FoI) requests to obtain sex and gender policies at NHS mental health trusts in London. The recently disclosed documents found mental health trusts raising concerns over the guidance that forensic patients should use single-sex female spaces if they identified as women. Forensic patients are those referred to the NHS from court or prison for committing offences, or considered a potential risk to themselves or others because of a mental health disorder. Under the current NHS guidelines published in 2019, transgender people should be accommodated according to the way they dress, their name and pronouns, which 'may not always accord with the physical sex appearance of the chest or genitalia'. This also 'applies to toilet and bathing facilities', with the exception of pre-operative transgender people sharing open shower facilities. Policy at West London NHS Trust, which runs the high-security Broadmoor Hospital, abides by these guidelines, stating: 'A trans man or a trans woman must be admitted on to a ward in accordance with their presenting gender, if this is their preference.' It added: 'Patients should be addressed respectfully, using the pronouns of their acquired gender.' The trust cited an example of a transgender patient in a manic state getting undressed in front of women and revealing their genitals. It said: 'A patient with bipolar (who happens also to be trans) who is in a manic state and who does not have capacity may be disinhibited and at risk of disrobing in public. 'Depending on where they are in their transition, it may be more appropriate for them to be admitted to a ward that is in line with their birth gender … while they are acutely unwell and at risk of 'outing' themselves.' The policy document added: 'Once they have recovered and have regained capacity it would be essential to have a conversation with the patient around where they would be most comfortably accommodated, and to arrange a move to a ward in accordance with their correct gender.' Both trusts note that there may be circumstances where it is lawful to exclude a patient, transgender or otherwise, from a single-sex ward if it constitutes 'proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim' such as harm reduction. At Central and North Western London, a policy document said that 'further consideration may be needed as to how best to manage a trans individual' in some cases, such as when 'a sexually disinhibited pre-operative transsexual individual may be very distressing for other patients on a single-sex ward'. In such a 'rare occasion', the policy recommends the individual 'be transferred to a single room and consideration made to their temporary use of a disabled toilet should individual toilets not be available'. The trust said it 'respects an individual's right to self-identify as male or female ', and made clear that transgender women could access women's lavatories. The Equality and Human Rights Commission, the equalities watchdog, has issued interim guidance advising it should be 'compulsory' for workplaces to provide single-sex lavatories, though trans women should not be left with no facilities to use. The NHS is currently reviewing its guidelines on same-sex accommodation in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling on biological sex. Helen Joyce, director of advocacy at the human rights charity Sex Matters, said: 'It's deeply disturbing that the safety and welfare of some of the most vulnerable women in London – those in the care of state mental health services – are being so seriously compromised by NHS trusts. 'The Supreme Court judgment was crystal-clear that single-sex services must be run on the basis of biological sex. 'There is no excuse for a dangerous 'case-by-case' approach that deems some men safe to be housed in women's accommodation. 'These NHS trusts are missing the point: no male patient should ever be allowed in female accommodation under any circumstances. His claimed identity, history of sexual behaviour and whether he has had surgery to remove body parts are all irrelevant. So is the state of his mental and physical health. 'Safety and dignity of women' 'If health care managers cannot understand why this matters so much in mental health services, then they are not fit to run NHS trusts or to have female patients in their care.' A campaigner involved in the audit told The Times that it was 'scary to think' that the gender identity of violent criminals could 'override the safety and dignity of women'. They added: 'NHS trusts are playing Russian roulette with women's safety. The Supreme Court ruling clarified that single-sex spaces must be single sex, and it is vital that this is now enforced nationally across all hospitals.' An NHS spokesman said: 'The NHS is working through the implications of the Supreme Court ruling, and we absolutely recognise the need for revised guidance. It's important that we wait for the Equality and Human Rights Commission to publish its statutory guidance before final decisions about future policy are taken. 'In the meantime, we are working closely with Government to ensure we can provide updated guidance for the health service as soon as possible.'
Daily Mail
10 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Mental health hospitals in charge of violent criminals allowing biologically male patients who 'self-identify' as women to be placed on female wards
Mental health hospitals in charge of violent criminals allow biologically male patients who 'self identify' as women to be placed on female wards. An audit of NHS mental health trusts in London found that they have policies which allow transgender people in single-sex spaces, according to The Times. Campaigners have hit out at the findings and warned that NHS trusts are 'playing Russian roulette with women's safety'. Sex and gender policies at mental health trusts in the capital were obtained by a women's rights group using freedom of information laws. Those audited cover hospitals including Broadmoor, a specialist psychiatric hospital which houses 'forensic patients', who are people detained in a mental health facility instead of prison. The research found that the trusts have policies which allow biological men to be placed in female spaces and wards if they identify as a woman. And hospitals acknowledged that some trans patients could pose a 'risk to a particular gender' or be 'sexually disinhibited' and 'very distressing for other patients on a single-sex ward'. South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust indicated that sometimes it may be appropriate to put transgender forensic patients on a ward in line with their biological sex 'while they are acutely unwell'. 'Once they have recovered and have regained capacity it would be essential to reassess the risk … and if safe and appropriate, to arrange a move to a ward in accordance with their correct gender,' its policy states. It also provided an example of a trans patient getting undressed in front of the opposite sex and revealing their genitals. 'Depending on where they are in their transition, it may be more appropriate for them to be admitted to a ward that is in line with their birth gender … while they are acutely unwell and at risk of 'outing' themselves,' the policy continues. Central and North Western London NHS Foundation Trust said it 'respects an individual's right to self-identify as male or female'. It added that trans women can access women's support groups and toilets but that in some cases 'further consideration may be needed as to how best to manage a trans individual'. 'A sexually disinhibited pre-operative transsexual individual may be very distressing for other patients on a single sex ward,' the trust said. And West London NHS Trust, in charge of Broadmoor Hospital which housed serial killers including the 'Yorkshire ripper' Peter Sutcliffe, said: 'Staff must use names, titles and hospital accommodation that the service user regards as appropriate.' Following the Supreme Court ruling that a woman is defined by biological sex under equality laws, the NHS is reviewing guidance on same sex accommodation. Its current guidelines, which were written in 2019, state that trans people should be accommodated based on how they identify. 'We have found examples of NHS trusts allowing forensic patients who were born male to self-identify as women,' a women's rights campaigner involved in the audit said. 'Forensic patients are those referred to the NHS from court or prison. They have been deemed a risk to themselves and others. 'They often have violent offending profiles. It is scary to think that their gender identity would override the safety and dignity of women. 'NHS Trusts are playing Russian roulette with women's safety. The Supreme Court ruling clarified that single-sex spaces must be single sex, and it is vital that this is now enforced nationally across all hospitals.' Helen Joyce, director of advocacy at women's rights charity Sex Matters, said: 'It's deeply disturbing that the safety and welfare of some of the most vulnerable women in London — those in the care of state mental health services — are being so seriously compromised by NHS trusts. 'The Supreme Court judgment was crystal-clear that single-sex services must be run on the basis of biological sex. There is no excuse for a dangerous 'case-by-case' approach that deems some men safe to be housed in women's accommodation. 'These NHS trusts are missing the point: no male patient should ever be allowed in female accommodation under any circumstances.' An NHS spokesman said: 'The NHS is working through the implications of the Supreme Court ruling, and we absolutely recognise the need for revised guidance. 'It's important that we wait for the Equality and Human Rights Commission to publish its statutory guidance before final decisions about future policy are taken. 'In the meantime, we are working closely with government to ensure we can provide updated guidance for the health service as soon as possible.'
ABC News
3 days ago
- Health
- ABC News
Hundreds join solidarity walk in support for woman attacked while running on Canberra trail
Hundreds of walkers have taken to a popular bush trail in Canberra in solidarity with a woman who was attacked on a run. The 59-year-old was grabbed from behind and assaulted at the Mulligan's Flat Nature Reserve in Bonner last Monday. Police said she was choked, struck in the head and knocked to the ground before her phone was stolen. Her alleged attacker, a 15-year-old boy, was arrested a short time later and charged with a string of offences. The incident sparked an outpouring of anger and frustration, raising concerns about women's safety on Canberra's running trails. Solidarity walk organiser Melanie Lloyd said the community wanted to reclaim the track and show support for the victim after the "unspeakable" attack. "She is a strong, stoic, beautiful human being who didn't deserve this," Ms Lloyd said. Many of the hundreds of walkers wore pink, which is the woman's favourite colour. The 59-year-old victim had recently moved to Canberra from England after being told it was a safe place to live and retire. Ms Lloyd said women should feel free to exercise in open spaces without fear. "We are already vigilant, we already watch where we go, when we go," she said. "We can't go out before it's light, we can't go out after dark, we watch what we wear. "Even when we're vigilant, these events happen." Sissy Austin flew from Victoria to attend the walk and to show the victim she was not alone. Ms Austin launched the Take Back the Track movement earlier this year, after her own experience of being violently attacked while running. "Being out on beautiful country, it's our meditation, it's our happy place, it's self-care," she said. Ms Austin said the incident should give men pause to reflect on themselves and the behaviour of their male peers. ACT Senator Katy Gallagher, who attended the walk, said it was crucial to combat negative attitudes towards women from a young age. "We have to make sure that the ACT government and the Commonwealth government work together on this violence epidemic we're seeing," Senator Gallagher said. Canberra local Christine Wheeler said she was buoyed by the turnout at the walk. "I want my boys to have respectful relationships, and I want my daughter to live in a world where she can exercise comfortably," she said. "It's hard to not let the fear grab hold, but we need to make sure that it doesn't."
News.com.au
4 days ago
- Health
- News.com.au
Remember Danielle Finlay-Jones? Her death can't be in vain
EXCLUSIVE Jacky Finlay-Jones feels a stab in the heart every time news breaks of yet another woman being killed by a violent man. It's been two and a half years since she lost her only daughter, Dannielle, at the hands of the man she met on a dating app and had been on just three dates with. The pain doesn't ease - it just manifests in different ways. 'I don't think it will ever get easier. It just changes, it's not the raw, numb freshness anymore, it's more now the total realisation that the front door will never open again,' Mrs Finlay-Jones told 'It's that you'll never hear the voice again, or see the face, the smile, and it's just trying to move forward and trying to live your own life as she would want you to do.' For Mrs Finlay-Jones and her son Blake, moving forward is made more difficult by the fact that hundreds of women have been killed by violent partners since Dannielle's brutal death in December 2022. 'As much as we have hoped and prayed that we were the last person this would ever happen to, that things would change, there has been over 100 deaths last year, the numbers are going up and it's just devastating,' Ms Finlay-Jones said. 'Danni would still be here if there had been stricter bail laws for repeat offenders and tougher rules around AVOs. In her case the man, we don't use his name, had five AVOs taken out on him by five different women. 'Yet here he was on dating apps, matching with Dannielle, and only having to give his first name.' Blake Finlay-Jones believes he would have seen the red flags had he met Ashley Gaddie. The protective brother was due to meet the 33-year-old at Christmas lunch but that was thwarted the day Dannielle's body was found. She died in her friend's Cranbrook home where she and Gaddie had spent the night after going out for drinks. Gaddie was arrested after a 12-hour stand-off with police in the Blue Mountains and charged with her murder. But in a cruel blow, Gaddie was found dead in his jail cell just over a year ago where he had been held on remand since his arrest. Gaddie's death didn't bring the family any closure. 'I don't think we had peace. Well, I don't think I did,' Ms Finlay-Jones said looking at her son who nodded in agreement. 'I think we closed off for 16 months to make sure that we did nothing that could be ever used in the court case by the defence,' she said. 'So we had a code of silence. We wouldn't talk to anyone. And we were nearly there, nearly at the committal hearing we had waited 16 months for, and then gone. 'He will always to the outside world be known as the accused. That's hard. 'He was never sentenced for murder. The case just stopped. And I think then you flounder, because you don't know what to do.' The family now has to wait for the case to come before a coroner. They've been told a backlog means their case won't even make the list this year, due to the availability of the small number of Coroners in NSW. 'We understand a small wait, but it has already been one year since the accused took his own life, one year of your lives are still in a holding pattern, one year of any recommendations that may have helped other domestic violence victims come out of the inquest wasted due to the time delay, the wait is just horrible, it is almost like they have forgotten the victim's family and friends,' Mrs Finlay-Jones said. 'No one should have to live in this limbo. We want the government to find a way to get cases heard more quickly, whether that be more coroners, whatever they need to do. 'We can't be the only ones in a holding pattern like this. We want the inquest to happen so recommendations can be made, so Danni's death is not in vain and something good can come of it, maybe other victims can be spared.' A major issue Blake also wants addressed is people like Gaddie being able to have multiple AVOs taken out against them and still be out on bail. 'In our case, five AVOS with five different unrelated women like that's got to be a huge red flag,' Blake said. Gaddie, 33, was half way through a two-year community sentence for stalking, choking and assaulting another woman, was out on bail on another DV related charge in June 2022 when Ms Finlay-Jones was killed, and had a string of current and prior AVOs involving numerous women dating back to 2016. 'These men have a pattern, they are charming, the love bombing, then the controlling, and then the escalation,' Blake said. 'It's almost like a hate crime, like a woman's hate crime and there he is on the end of an app. Swipe the wrong type of situation, a murder waiting to happen.' Both Blake and his mum are trying to move forward and keep Dannielle's memory alive. 'This is not what her life was. This is something very horrible that happened to her. She was extremely passionate about things,' her mum said. 'Her female football was so important to her, her interest in championing neurodivergent people. 'I guess she probably knew for a long time, but she was diagnosed with ADHD when she was 30 and I think for her then, that was like a light bulb moment. 'It explained a lot to her. In one of the child cares roles she worked at she was looking after a child who was autistic. Her most recent job was a teacher's aide at a special school and she just loved it.' For Mrs Finlay-Jones a coronial inquest would help bring the closure they need, though never the justice. 'It's about moving forward, not forgetting, but moving forward, still living because that's what she would have wanted, and to be as happy as one can' she said. 'It's learning to smile again without feeling guilty. The guilt we feel every day, knowing that we survived and she's not here. Yep, it's learning to smile again.' The NSW Government and the NSW Coroner's Court have been contacted for comment. NSW Local Courts confirmed no dates have been set for a coronial inquest into Dannielle's death nor Gaddie's death in custody. Attorney-General Michael Daly told that 'Dannielle Finlay-Jones' family have experienced an unimaginable loss and it is completely understandable they want the coronial process to be resolved as soon as possible'. 'The NSW Government is working to strengthen the coronial system to help provide answers for grieving families and providing extra resources to assist with caseloads. 'Funding worth $18 million for the Bondi Junction inquest has allowed an additional magistrate to be appointed. This ensures other inquests and inquiries can continue to progress.' Mr Daley said the government had strengthened protections for victim-survivors by bringing in two new offences targeting serious and repeat breaches of apprehended domestic violence orders. 'We have also made it harder for accused serious domestic violence offenders to get bail and ensured those who are bailed are electronically monitored by Corrective Services.'
Malay Mail
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Johor govt ramps up anti-abuse campaigns as state records 282 domestic violence cases in four months
ISKANDAR PUTERI, May 23 — A total of 282 domestic violence cases were recorded in Johor from January to April this year, the State Legislative Assembly was told today. State Women, Family and Community Development Committee chairman Khairin-Nisa Ismail said the Johor government was always aware and concerned about protecting the welfare, safety, and rights of women in the state. According to her, various proactive measures to address violence against women, including sexual harassment, had been implemented statewide throughout 2024. 'A total of 8,231 participants took part in the programmes, both face-to-face and online. To strengthen advocacy efforts, the Johor government has allocated RM50,000 for the production of anti-sexual harassment and domestic violence advocacy videos, which will be shared through mass and digital media. 'The videos aim to raise community awareness on sexual harassment and domestic violence; to share guidelines and notices related to the issue; to provide information on government psychosocial assistance and services; and to foster strategic collaboration among various parties to enhance awareness and prevention,' she said. She said this in a written reply to a question from Haslinda Salleh (BN-Tenang) regarding the statistics of domestic violence cases in Johor and the measures taken to address the issue. Elaborating, Khairin-Nisa, who is the Serom assemblyman, said the development of advocacy materials was conducted in two phases, which included producing two short videos, two motion graphics, and five posters. She said the videos produced in the first phase of the initiative would be promoted through social media, LED digital displays, bunting, and video screenings on Causeway Link buses operated by Handal Indah. 'The state government is also actively establishing ongoing strategic collaborations with various parties to expand the reach of advocacy messages to all parts of Johor. 'This initiative demonstrates the Johor government's strong commitment to combating sexual harassment and domestic violence, as well as ensuring the safety and well-being of the people, particularly women and families,' she said. — Bernama
