We have drafted a joint statement with NUS Scotland in response to recent actions by Glasgow Rape Crisis:

We stand in solidarity with trans women across Glasgow and condemn the disaffiliation of Glasgow Rape Crisis from Rape Crisis Scotland and their move toward trans-exclusion. The move to exclude trans women from the service is dangerous and leaves trans women without key support needed within the city. 

Statistics show that almost 1 in 2 trans people experience sexual assault, according to the US National Centre for Transgender Equality (the UK government doesn't collect statistics on transgender victims of sexual violence), and at a time when healthcare, legal and community support for trans individuals is increasingly under attack these services are more important than ever.

According to NUS research 68% of students have experienced some form of sexual harrassment during their time at university, meaning that trans students are some of those most vulnerable in our community. We are working across Glasgow and with NUS to provide much needed resourcing and support in this space and will continue to update on this project. 

Victim-survivors are already facing multiple challenges when using this service, and Glasgow Rape Crisis' statement has served to only further the confusion and distress of those who need support the most. We would ask that other services across Scotland do not follow suit and that the wider Rape Crisis Scotland organisation moves to provide these much-needed services for trans women and girls within Glasgow. 

After constant attacks on the trans community this is a further call to action for all students and student leaders across Glasgow to stand in solidarity with our trans brothers and sisters and prevent further harm to the trans community here in Glasgow.