Sex offenders in female only wards
5th August 2021
Sex offenders in female only wards
Earlier this week, the Times reported that male sex offenders who identify as transgender, can be treated on female only hospital wards.
Various NHS trusts have stated that people should be on whichever ward best matches their “gender identity”, and that they should choose which toilet and shower facilities they use. As reported in the article, one nurse explained how staff are too frightened to raise this as a safeguarding issue, and there often is not time to carry out risk assessments on males who want to be admitted to a female ward. You would think this story could not get any worse but, if you are a woman on a female only ward and you express concerns about sharing your intimate spaces with males, you could be reported to the police and even have your treatment withheld.
Call to Action
Write to your MP. Explain why single sex spaces exist, why they are still necessary, and why “gender identity” should not take precedence over sex. You could also attach a copy of Sex Matters’ briefing on the single sex exemptions in the Equality Act.