One victim of rape thought that she found an all-female safe space for her to come to terms the horrific sexual abuse she suffered. She told us how the unexpected arrival of a transgender biologically male woman left her deeply disturbed.
This mother-of-2 joined a survivors’ support group to get help for the traumatizing childhood abuse and rape she had suffered.
She told The Mail Sunday that she was disturbed by the newcomer at 6ft wearing masculine clothing.
The bosses of charity insisted that the transwoman had all right to be there, as they let people define their gender by themselves.
Sarah, the mother of Sarah, stated that she was worried and panicked at the sight of a man with such a masculine look.
Her explanation was that she was manipulated into taking part in the rape by a man when I was a child. I felt manipulated into that act by a man as an adult, and I have since learned to distrust men.
Elle said she felt even worse after sharing her experiences of sexual violence with the transwoman, but she did not discuss any abuses she might have sustained.

Sarah, a mother to two, signed up for the Brighton-based Survivors Network. She said that she was unable to trust the sessions because of a transgender woman (stock photo).
Sarah was sexually abused at the age of 8 and 12, and was also raped in her 20s. She said the new addition disrupted the dynamics of the support group.
She said that some women were abused when they were children, so it was obvious she had the same experience as a boy being abused.
We talked about men’s entitlement to female bodies, and the ways they feel. We often just spoke out about how we don’t trust men, and that felt safe.
Sarah explained that after the arrival of the transwoman, this talk was deemed ‘nonsensical’. She added: “It felt like our priority was not to discuss male entitlement or share experiences but rather making sure the person born male feels comfortable.
“No matter how many times a woman claims to be a girl, they’re still male.”
Sarah – not her real name – said she wanted to speak out as she felt the rights of women are being eroded to appease trans activists.
She said, “I fully support trans people’s rights to live as they wish, but women who have been subject to rape are left to deal with the situation on their own due to the way these groups now take to please trans activists.”
“The main reason that I’m speaking up is because I have a daughter. If something similar happens to her, she should be able go to a women-only group.
Sarah is married now and in her forties. As a child she was molested by a close friend and then later, was raped and raped again by an acquaintance who encouraged her to use drugs.
He was moving back to her area, and she heard about it that convinced her to reach out for help at the Brighton-based network Survivors Network.
Sarah first called the charity to learn about the sessions for “self-identifying female survivors”. She was also asked her gender identity in her first telephone call.

Think about a victim of sexual abuse. Group counselling is only for women, but you find out that there are also sessions available for transgender people (stock photo).
But, as there are separate groups for trans- and nonbinary persons (who do not identify as either male or female), she felt that her Wednesday night session was most likely for biological women.
This was true for the five first ‘peer support’ sessions. But in the sixth session, the tall transgender woman dressed in masculine clothing sat just two seats away.
Sarah stated, “When I went first, there were all women, and all of us had similar experiences, so it was very positive.”
But the atmosphere in the sessions – in which the participants would sit in a circle to talk about their experiences – changed abruptly in September with the new addition to the group.
A session facilitator welcomed the trans woman and said: “Everyone welcomes here.”
Sarah recalls “What is that all about?” I was able to see that there was someone who, although I thought they were a woman and seemed normal to me, it appeared like a male.
“She was 6’4” tall with a high voice and wore casual clothes and sweatshirts.
Due to her trauma at having been ‘tricked” by her male abusers she stated that she wanted out immediately. “I didn’t want this place.”
Sarah stated that there were no physical signs that the recruit was going to be a woman. Sarah also said that Sarah did not comment on any abuse she might have experienced.
Sarah continued, “I have no clue why she was there,” “My paranoid side leads me to believe they were there because of voyeuristic motives,” Sarah said. They were likely there to help me, according to my rational side.
Sarah wrote the long and thoughtful letter to complain after discussing the issue with her husband.
She explained that she was not making an attack on any individual member of the group, but rather a description about how they felt included for her.
“When the transservice user started speaking, I had an instinct to flee the group. Because the group was trans-inclusive, I didn’t know how to tell anyone. I might be labeled a bigot/transphobe.
However, Carys Jenkins (head of operations for the charity) replied and ruled out any changes to their policy.
She stated that she does not enforce gender norms and doesn’t determine who is or isn’t a woman. Instead, women are allowed to make this decision for themselves.
Sarah considered the letter a cruel snub. She stated that her primary option was to either move to one-on-one support, or find another city service which would be suitable.
Sarah works as an accountant and took this advice to heart. She tried to locate another support group in Brighton for biological females, but found none. They all said they were open to’self-identifying’ females.
Sarah suggested the charity should set up a service solely for those who were born women – which is allowed under an exemption to equality legislation – but was turned down.
She stated, “I was thinking,” How can you be so cruel to women? Your service is supposed to help women who’ve experienced sexual violence. It is impossible to ignore that most sexual violence happens when women feel provoked or triggered by men.

Sarah is now married, in her 40s. She was sexually abused as a child by a friend of her family. Later, she was raped and beaten by another man who knew her. (stock photo)
“We have been instructed by men to disregard our instincts and do the things they tell us, and we are being told this by a rape service. It’s crazy.
The group is run by ‘Survivors Network’ for men. A group is available for trans people. This ensures that people of male birth are very well served.
“But the vast majority of sexually assault victims are women. They don’t have the space to just be alone.
The Survivors Network was founded in 1990 by child abuse survivors. It was recognized for its efforts when the Duke of Sussex visited 2018 in high profile. It receives funding from the Government and local authorities.
Jay Breslaw, the chief executive of Jay Breslaw, wrote to a Commons committee opposing tightening regulations on single-sex space. She also stated that her charity believes that transgender women’s use should be encouraged.
Last night, survivors’ network released a statement saying: “We are a feminist organization and support survivors of all sexes.”
“Survivors of trauma or sexual violence need support, care, and belief, regardless of their gender identity. We have 30 years’ experience and are well-equipped to provide this support in a survivor-based, empowerment-based manner.
“Trans-inclusive feministism is central to our core values and to our services in a crisis centre for rape.
Sarah was also present at the session, and the charity refused to disclose what gender reassignment surgeries she had received.
The company also refused to provide any details about the vetting procedure, however they stated that there were ‘robust safeguarding and training procedures in place’ for everyone who uses or delivers their services.
Women are being sold down the river – by charities terrified of the trans mob, writes JULIE BINDEL, co-founder of Justice for Women
Visualize You are a child of sexual abuse, and you have been raped as an adult. You’ve felt all of your life that you are responsible and must have been “asking” for this.
You can also find groups for women that offer counselling services. These sessions are safe and supportive. Professionals are caring, helpful and kind.
You feel understood by them and can share your feelings with other women looking for help. It is a time when you find your self-confidence.
In fact, you find out that there is also a female-identified transgender man attending these sessions.
You are already raped and abused.
So you feel threatened, and ask to be excluded from female-only sessions for the transwoman. Instead, suggest that they join a group specifically for transgender people.

Consider yourself a woman suffering from sexual abuse. Group counselling is only for women, but you find out that there are also sessions available for transgender people (stock photo).
You are assured that they can attend the women-only groups as well as yours.
According to the report, Sarah was one of these women. It is also happening to an increasing number of British women.
In response to the flood of domestic abuse and rape cases, feminists started to establish refuges for women and other services exclusively for women in the 1970s.
In the 1980s I was a young lady who volunteered at a refuge for domestic violence three nights a week. Also, on shifts, I ran a Rape Crisis Helpline.
The women who called the helpline and came to the refuge were desperate to speak to other women without the prying – and often judgmental – presence of a man.
Recollecting heartbreaking tales from girls about their childhood, and how they were taught to be responsible for their own actions from a young age. They were afraid to report any type of sexual harassment, assault or other form of abuse because it would lead them to be dismissed or blamed.
I still remember seeing the relief in the faces of the women when it was explained to them that everyone knew what they were discussing and would support them.
Of all the traumatic details of domestic and sexual abuse, it was often discussed with our men.
It is both saddening and alarming that Sarah, a 2021-aged woman, feels like she cannot access safe group support.
Trans activists have been offered assistance by feminists to establish trans-women only facilities in an effort to stop women from demanding equal access. However, they never expressed an interest in accepting our offer.
This debate extends beyond the walls of therapy rooms. The head of the Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre – the person ultimately responsible for its culture and policies – is currently a trans woman.
The Survivors’ Network and Edinburgh Rape Crisis have made it clear that they consider transgender people to be women-only.

You feel so threatened that you ask if it is possible to exclude the trans woman from the female-only sessions, but you are told no, they have as every right to attend (stock image)
It is important for them to know that the 2010 Equality Act explicitly provides that trans women can be excluded from sessions of group sexual assault therapy sessions when it is “a proportionate means to a valid aim”.
Gender self-identification in the UK is not protected by law. My experience has shown me firsthand the negative impact that allowing trans people to identify themselves as women of color can have on women-only services.
Canada’s self-identification laws allow men to transition without having to do so. Some of these men still have male reproductive organs, so it’s not required to undergo hormone treatment in order to obtain a certificate for gender recognition.
Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, which is home to pimps, drug dealers, and violent gangs that often sell young women as sex, was where I went.
To help these women avoid prostitution, feminists created services.
A charity I saw was described as providing a vital support system for the many women that have passed its doors. I saw a group that looked almost like men sitting at a table in the dining room. Their beards were full of life and there was no indication that they would ever transition.
But a volunteer informed me that they were women and said they had arrived because they felt it was nicer than the homeless shelter. He also explained to me that they knew it wasn’t legal to dispose of them.
Feminists put their blood, sweat and tears into creating refuges and counseling sessions to deal with the aftermath of male violence.
For many women however, knowing they’re in the company of a man born male is enough to make them stop speaking up.
It is shameful that the vital charities’ women directors have been so terrified of the translobby that they sold Sarah and other women to them.