Question reference: S5W-26947
- Asked by: Joan McAlpine, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 16 January 2020
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Current status: Answered by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 24 January 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5O-03951 by Shirley-Anne Somerville on 8 January 2020 (Official Report, c.18), to which reference in the research paper by the University of Bristol, (Trans)forming Single-Gender Services and Communal Accommodations, the Cabinet Secretary was referring when she stated “The research that has been referred to was included because of a reference within the work to show that there is no increased risk of women being attacked in single-sex spaces by trans women.”
Answer
The research is at https://research-information.bris.ac.uk/files/139271435/Bristol_Pure_Version_PD.pdf The section headed "misconduct" discusses risks and the author notes that no evidence has been identified to suggest that trans individuals as a group pose a threat of sexual violence to non-trans populations. The Scottish Government does not agree with the author of the research that exceptions in the Equality Act 2010 should be removed. However, the Scottish Government welcomes research on the inclusion of trans women in single sex spaces. The current consultation asks a specific question on the draft Impact Assessments. We welcome comments on the drafts and information consultees have on any other relevant research.