Adviser constructively dismissed for gender-critical views, awarded £68,000

A consultant who was constructively dismissed by a rape crisis center for her sexist views has called for “meaningful change” and the “definition of women” after she was awarded nearly £70,000.

Counseling support worker Roz Adams, who now works for a service founded by JK Rowling, won a constructive dismissal claim against the Edinburgh Rape Crisis Center (ERCC) in May, with the tribunal judge finding she had been subjected to harassment and discrimination.

A court heard ERCC’s then-director-general, Mridul Wadhwa, a trans woman who took office in 2021 and resigned in September, ruled that Ms Adams was “transphobic” and that she had opened a “completely fake and mismanaged” meeting in June 2022. He heard that it led to a disciplinary process. forcing him to resign the following spring.

On Wednesday Ms Adams thanked her supporters and said she planned to “rest” after the ERCC was ordered to pay her £68,989.71.

Ms Adams currently works at Beira’s Place, founded by JK Rowling, and said she plans to train in non-violent communication skills.

In a ruling in May, Judge Ian McFatridge said the ERCC “wanted to set an example” because of Ms Adams’ beliefs and that senior management had a view that she was “guilty of perversion” because she did not fully participate. to the gender ideology they want to promote.

He assessed: “This was an act of harassment based on his belief.”

Ms Adams, who worked at ERCC from 2021 to 2023, said she was “grateful” and her priority was to “take some time to relax”.

The Scottish Government called for a public apology and “meaningful change” from the ERCC and Rape Crisis Scotland.

She said in a statement: “My priority is that all survivors of sexual violence are able to make a truly informed choice about the service they seek and can trust who will support them. “To rebuild this trust, I invite these organizations to provide a clear definition of ‘woman’.”

Ms Adams called for unity following the “pain and pain felt by so many” and said she was “delighted” to have ERCC representatives visit Beira’s Place, where she currently works, for a “productive” meeting last week.

He added: “Whilst I do not underestimate the harm and pain felt by many, or the enormity of the task, I hope this shows that the seeds of change are being sown and bridges are beginning to be built. We encourage everyone to do this to provide space and support for people to step back, rethink and repair.” “I urge you to focus on growing the seedlings.”

A judgment published following an Employment Tribunal “resolution hearing” in October said Ms Adams was concerned that users of services, including a helpline run by Rape Crisis Scotland, were not being directed to Beira’s Place and felt the apology was for language rather than apology was stated. He said he felt the situation and the Equality Act 2010 had been “misrepresented and misused”.

It was stated that in June 2023, shortly after Ms Adams initiated legal proceedings, the ERCC sought to obtain a Restricted Whistleblowing Order on the basis that what the plaintiff was alleged to have done should be classed as sexual misconduct.

The decision said: “The plaintiff found the idea of ​​someone in his industry being accused of sexual harassment absolutely appalling.”

He also said he was concerned about the legacy of being labeled transphobic.

In a statement, Ms Adams said: “A public apology fully clearing my name would also be welcomed. It is now even more important to me that there is meaningful change at the ERCC, the Scottish Rape Crisis and the Scottish Government.”

ERCC was ordered to make a public apology. Judge McFatridge’s decision stated that “nothing the plaintiff did constituted bullying or harassment, nor was the plaintiff transphobic” and that it seemed “extraordinary that the defendants were not prepared to send a referral to Beira’s Place”.

The ERCC, Rape Crisis Scotland and the Scottish Government have been contacted for comment.