EDINBURGH Rape Crisis Centre has issued a formal apology to a former employee who was constructively dismissed over allegations of transphobia.
In a statement published yesterday, the organisation acknowledged that it had no evidence to back up its allegations against Roz Adams.
She had previously stated her beliefs that those accessing its services should have the right to know the sex of staff members.
A tribunal in May found that Adams was unlawfully discriminated against and awarded her £70,000 earlier this month pending a public apology.
In line with the ruling, the centre has signposted sexual assault victims to women’s refuge Beira’s Place, where Adams now works.
Adams, who was employed as a counselling and support worker, spoke up after becoming concerned with the way gender issues were addressed by the organisation.
She stated that service users should be able to choose who they receive support from on the basis of sex, that sex is binary and “everyone is either male or female at that level”.
A disciplinary process was launched following the centre management’s decision to “make an example of her” following one incident.
Adams had asked for clarity after an abuse survivor wanted to know whether a support worker identifying as non-binary was a man or a woman.
Adams’ views went against those of former chief executive Mridul Wadhwa –a trans woman – who has since resigned from her role after an independent investigation found that the organisation failed to protect women-only spaces.
The official apology read: “Further to our statement of 8th November 2024:
“Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre apologises to Rosslyn Adams for having alleged that she was transphobic and acknowledges that:
“· There was no evidence to support that allegation;
“· Its disciplinary decision that Ms Adams had misconducted herself was wrong;
“· Ms Adams was motivated by a wish to act in the best interests of service users when she questioned how to respond to a service user (as detailed in the Employment Tribunal judgment dated 14 May 2024);
“· Nothing Ms Adams did constituted bullying or harassment; and
“· It accepts the Employment Tribunal’s findings that it harassed and discriminated against Ms Adams because of her protected gender critical beliefs.
“Beira’s Place provides an alternative source of support for female victims of sexual violence.”
In its previous statement, the centre had said it was “striving” to improve its services and support for service users, staff and volunteers.
It promised a public apology after an earlier letter sent to Adams failed to meet the mark in clearing her name.
An investigation into the centre has been launched by Rape Crisis Scotland.
Rape Crisis Scotland has been contacted for comment.
