NEW BLOG: We have responded to the EHRC's consultation on its code of practice, which closes at midnight. Our response concentrates on addressing and preventing misunderstandings about the Code.

We were pleased to provide research and analytical support to the Sullivan Review. The report of the first part of the review (on data on sex and gender) was published in March. Today sees the publication of the second part of the review on barriers to research on sex and gender.

The EHRC consultation is available here.

Our article for @heraldscotland traces Police Scotland policy on recording rape since lodging our parliamentary petition in 2021. It is a story of institutional chaos & inaction that could be drawn to a close today by a directive from the Chief Constable.

The threat to domestic violence support services for women in Edinburgh

@ForWomenScot

On the day that Cllr Staniforth's motion was debated (20 March), Council leader Jane Meagher addressed a rally organised by @ForWomenScot, speaking about her experience of campaigning for the establishment of Edinburgh Women's Aid in the 1970s.

Our quote to The Times in response to the information extracted via our FOI requests to the Council and Cllr Staniforth's motion.

In sum, the Council holds no information on the incidence of domestic violence experienced by those with transgender identities. Nor has it been approached to fund such a service over the past ten years.

The Council responded (on 15 April): "The City of Edinburgh Council has never procured a domestic abuse service for men or transgender people, nor have we been approached by any service wishing to provide this on behalf of the Council so no bids have been received.".

FOI #2: "How many bids for funding has the council received over the past ten years from groups and organisations seeking to set up domestic violence refuges and other services for (1) men and (2) those with transgender identities. Please provide this figure broken down by year.".

The Council then responded (on 16 April): "Unfortunately, we are unable to provide you with the information requested because it is not held by the Council.".

We responded: "Given that the council seeks to fund services for individuals in the city who have experienced domestic abuse, I am trying to understand what evidence base the council has on the incidence of domestic abuse experienced by those with transgender identities.".

The Council responded on 18 March: "We cannot identify the information you have requested from the details you have provided. To help us meet your request, could you please confirm what individuals you are referring to. Is this members of staff, social work clients etc.".

FOI #1 asked: "Please provide copies of all information and research held by the council regarding the incidence of domestic abuse experienced by individuals with transgender identities.".

The article is based on two freedom of information requests we submitted to the council in mid March.

We are quoted in this article in today’s Times regarding the provision of domestic violence services for women in Edinburgh, following an attempt earlier this year by a Green councillor to defund Edinburgh Women’s Aid.

Rather than responding defensively, we think Police Scotland now needs to be upfront, admit it has failed to hold a coherent line on one of the most sensitive areas of data recording, and take urgent action to address the evident policy vacuum & operational confusion.

Later that day, when asked about the confusion over recording, the Cabinet Secretary for Justice told the Scottish Parliament, "I believe that there currently is clarity".