Girlguiding has settled a legal case with a former volunteer who had challenged the charity’s trans inclusive policy.
In 2018 the charity was accused of putting young people at risk because of its policy to treat anyone identifying as a woman, as a woman.
A small number of volunteers were expelled, with Girlguiding citing breaches of its volunteer code of practice. One of them, Katie Alcock, had planned to take the charity to court over the decision.
In a statement this week Girlguiding said it had reached a settlement with Katie Alcock, and invited her to reapply to the charity.
The charity said: “Girlguiding celebrates the ever-growing diversity of its membership. We are committed to balancing the views, needs and wants of all of our members in a complex and changing world. It’s important that we do this in a thoughtful and respectful way, reflecting our volunteer code of conduct. So we have a diversity and inclusion strategic plan which underpins our commitment to inclusion.”
The statement adds that it recognises gender critical beliefs are protected under the Equality Act, while the charity is also “a home for trans people”.
Girlguiding went on to thank Alcock for her contribution.
“We have listened carefully to Katie’s concerns. We understand them and take them seriously. Whilst these are complex and evolving issues, we agree that sex and gender are different, and will reflect this in the language we use,” the statement adds.
The charity said safeguarding would continue to be “at the heart of everything we do” and that policies continue to evolve.
“Our priority is to ensure that we offer a safe space where all girls are welcome to have fun, learn, and grow, and feel that they can be who they truly are. So all adult members are required to follow the same policies and procedures, including our Equality and Diversity policy and the Safeguarding policy, under which volunteers must report all concerns, allegations and disclosures. We have a dedicated specialist safeguarding team who support volunteers with questions or concerns,” it said.
Girlguiding has agreed to make sure its policies are easy for new members to understand. It will also consider consulting external organisations recommended by Alcock.
“Girlguiding is proud to be an inclusive and diverse organisation and will always remain so,” the statement concludes.
Katie Alcock: ‘Clarity is laudable’
Alcock said she was pleased to have resolved the issue without going to court.
In a statement posted on Twitter, she said the process had been a difficult time.
She said: “I raised my concerns because of my loyalty to the organisation and all within it, and my concern for the safety and dignity of all guides, both girls and women. I am grateful to Girlguiding for having recognised this in their handling of the dispute.”
Alcock welcomed the commitment to engaging with volunteers, parents and carers about policies.
“This clarity is laudable and is to Girlguiding’s credit,” she said. “It will enable parents carers and volunteers to fully appreciate Girlguiding policy so that everyone understands precisely what their continuing membership of the organisation entails.”
She concluded by saying she was “proud” to have been involved in a process of “respectful and substantive dialogue”.
I am pleased to have concluded my litigation against Girlguiding. Statement below. pic.twitter.com/jWPa39fHhL
— Dr Katie Alcock (@wontsomeonethi2) April 19, 2022
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