Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Uni student loses legal case over trans rights protests
AFEMINIST student abused by trans campaigners has lost a case against the University of Bristol which successfully argued it had “no duty of care” to stop the threats and violence made against her.
Raquel Rosario-Sanchez, 32, said she had been subjected to a two-year hate campaign by transgender activists which she claimed university bosses did nothing to stop.
She claimed she was targeted for attending feminist meetings that opposed allowing men who identify as women into female-only spaces such as toilets and domestic violence refuges.
Rosario-Sanchez says she was also harassed over her involvement with the campaigning group Woman’s Place UK.
The court heard activists had protested against a talk by Ms Rosario Sanchez, and labelled her as someone who excluded trans people, and claimed she was “spreading hate about trans people”.
But her attempts to sue the university for negligence, breach of contract and sex discrimination have now been dismissed by a judge at the Bristol Civil and Family Justice Centre who said the institution had not failed in its duty of care.
Returning his verdict on Thursday, Judge Alexander Ralton dismissed all her claims.
He acknowledged that there had been some occasions where she had been subjected to threats and violence but added: “No actionable breach of duty has been identified.”
Speaking after the case, Ms Rosario-Sanchez said the result was “unexpected” while the university said it was “pleased” at the outcome and described the case as “incredibly challenging” for both sides.
Judge Ralton added: “This case is not about the general righteousness of the opinions of some persons within the transgender community or the female feminist community per se; it is about the defendant’s (university’s) management of a conflict which had arisen in this case.”
He said the university accepted Ms Rosario-Sanchez was “the victim of unacceptable behaviour, particularly in the form of threat of violence.”
And he added: “I have considerable sympathy for the claimant in her capacity as victim who perceived the accused as being given more protection and as having rights which somehow trumped her own.
“The claimant’s complaints could have been progressed in a much better fashion, and this has already been recognised by the defendant, but there is no evidence of any malice on the part of any member of staff.”
As part of her claim, Ms RosarioSanchez said she was told by diversity chiefs that the term ‘maternity’ was now ‘problematic’ and ‘exclusionary’. She said when pointed out that only a biological woman can give birth, she was reported to
I did not deserve years of intimidation for daring to chair a feminist meeting or for defending sex-based feminism RAQUEL ROSARIO-SANCHEZ
human resources bosses for being ‘transphobic’, investigated by the university and ordered to apologise.
She also claimed Bristol dismissed her complaint about men being allowed in the female changing rooms at the pool.
Reacting to the verdict, Ms Rosario-Sanchez said: “The university was able to successfully argue they do not have a duty of care to students who, like me, face intimidation and violent threats from trans activist students and staff.
“The judgment, nevertheless, confirms I was the victim of the “violent, threatening, intimidating behaviour or language” by trans activists students.”
She said that despite losing her case she was pleased she had been able to remove the “stigma of being a liar”.
She added: “While I have known the truth all along, I cannot emphasise enough how at peace I feel knowing that this dark cloud that has hung over my head every day is now gone.
“It took a tremendous amount of tenacity and determination to bring this case to trial, but I feel resolute that the public must be aware that this is how academic institutions are treating students like me when nobody is watching. This resolve remains unwavering.
“I did not deserve years of intimidation for daring to chair a feminist meeting or for defending sex-based feminism. Nobody does. No student should ever have to incur a psychiatric injury over violent and threatening behaviour by their colleagues, and the byzantine policies and procedures of academic institutions that are meant to protect everyone equally.”
In a statement, the University of Bristol said: “Following a complaint from Ms Rosario Sánchez about the conduct of fellow students stemming from an external event held off campus, the university has found itself at the centre of a highly polarised debate around gender identity and rights.
“From the outset, we have sought to remain neutral in our management of this conflict and to follow our internal complaints procedure.
“While we are pleased the judge found this to be the case, dismissing all claims made against us, we acknowledge that this has been an incredibly challenging period for everyone involved.
“We wish Ms Rosario Sánchez all the best for the future, especially with the completion of her PhD.”