Shonagh Dillon
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‘#TERF/Bigot/Transphobe’ – ‘We found the witch, burn her!’ A contextual constructionist account of the silencing of feminist discourse on the proposed changes to the Gender Recognition Act 2004, and the policy capture of transgender ideology, focusing on the potential impacts and consequences for female-only spaces for victims of male violence. Shonagh Dillon The thesis is submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the degree of Professional Doctorate of Criminal Justice Studies of the University of Portsmouth. 1 Declaration ‘Whilst registered as a candidate for the Professional Doctorate in Criminal Justice Studies at the University of Portsmouth, I have not been registered for any other research award. The results and conclusions embodied in this thesis are the work of the named candidate and have not been submitted for any other academic award.’ Word Count: 52,323 2 Abstract This thesis examines the clash between transgender ideology and women’s rights in the context of female-only spaces in the male violence against women sector. Through exploring the silencing of feminist discourse regarding the proposed changes to the Gender Recognition Act (2004) from the UK Governments of England and Wales, and Scotland, this research provides an original contribution to assess the impact and consequences of gender reform and self-identification, in both policy and legislation, on the United Kingdom’s male violence against women (MVAW) sector. Taking a qualitative approach, 31 participants were interviewed from both sides of the gender reform debate, this was combined with online ethnographic research from the social media platform Twitter. The data was coded and categorised in a thematic analysis and seven main themes emerged which were collapsed into two chapters analysing the ‘debate’ and the impact of gender reform on the MVAW sector. The findings highlight a stark difference between the public discourse of transgender ideologues and the participant data, the former of which claim inclusion of transwomen in female-only spaces are supported by the MVAW sector. However, the research illuminated that blanket acceptance of transwomen in female-only spaces was largely rejected by both sides of the debate, and the retention of these spaces alongside specialist services for transgender victims were offered up as a solution. The research evidences the topic being shrouded in silence and fear, particularly for women who work within the MVAW sector. Through the passivity of the umbrella bodies in the MVAW sector and unwillingness of politicians to support reasoned public discourse, policy capture of transgender ideology has been enforced. This research provides an original and authentic contribution to the debate. 3 Acknowledgements In the first instance I would like to acknowledge all the participants who took part, without whom the research would not have been possible: my sincere thanks. To my supervisor Andy Williams, whose patient guidance and confidence in me has enabled me to believe from the start that I can do this, I owe you a drink! To the many feminist sisters who bravely spoke up years ahead of me and who continue to fight for women’s sex-based rights. To all the women I have been lucky enough to support over the years, you are my inspiration and I am forever privileged that you trusted me. To my work colleagues, who have tolerated an untold amount of brain fog since I took this on. Thanks, in particular to Heather, Lyn and Zoe, who all read my meanderings and never once questioned my motives. For all my friends, but in particular, Sarah - who will forever be my never-ending soul sister. Vonny – whose quiet confidence and unwavering loyalty grounded me at the worst of times. And Lucy - whose tenacity and defiance is infectious. Thank you all for the belly laughter and for never questioning my 4am voice notes. Special thanks to my family, to my steady rock Lee whose firm belief and repeated phrase “you can do this, you’ll be fine”, has finally paid off – I love you always and forever. To my Hamish, never change wee man, never falter, never conform, if they made them all like you, I’d happily be out of a job. To my parents who never questioned my ability, particularly my Mum, whose response to the teachers who said I would amount to nothing was to instil resolute, rebellious faith in me – we showed them Mama – I love you. Finally, this is for you Isla. Raise your voice sweetheart – you have power. Know, whatever the fight, you can lead from right out front and there will always be a whole army of sisters right behind you. Be brave! Be fierce! And if anyone tries to silence you, never, ever forget your heritage. 4 Table of Contents Declaration 2 Abstract 3 Acknowledgements 4 Table of Contents 5 List of Tables 8 List of Figures 9 List of Acronyms 10 Chapter 1 - Introduction 11 Reflexive Preamble 12 The Campaign to End Male Violence Against Women 14 The Gender Recognition Act 2004 19 Proposed Changes to the GRA 21 Potential Impact on Female-Only Spaces 22 Silencing of Feminist Discourse and the Consequences for the MVAW Sector 28 Terms and Scope of Research 33 Research Questions: 34 Research Aim 34 Research Objectives 34 Research Design 35 Ethical Considerations 35 Layout of Thesis 36 Chapter 2 - The Legislative and Policy Framework 39 Adult Human Female 40 The Yogyakarta Principles (YPs) 45 Gender Recognition (2004) and the Equality Act (2010) 49 Proposed Changes to the Gender Recognition Act (2004) 53 Institutional Policy Capture 58 Summary 63 Chapter 3 – Academic analysis and the Silencing of Feminist Discourse 64 Feminism – Schools, Thoughts, and Theories 64 Radical Feminist Activism and the MVAW Sector 67 Queer Theory – A Critique 71 Sex v Gender 81 5 Silencing of Women 86 TERF, Great Granddaughter of the Witch 92 Summary 94 Chapter four - Methodology 96 The Role of a Practitioner Researcher 96 Feminist Research 98 Reflexivity 99 Contextual Constructionism 102 Qualitative Research Design 106 Epistemological Background/Overview 107 Methodology 109 Semi-structured Interviews 111 Online Ethnography 119 Data Analysis (Interviews and Online Ethnographic Data) 124 Chapter 5 - The Debate 135 The Proposed Changes to the Gender Recognition Act 2004 137 Why Campaign? 148 What is a Woman? 160 Summary 173 Chapter 6 - The Impact 174 Silencing 176 Motivation for Access to Single Sex Spaces 190 Male Violence Against Women Sector 195 Middle Ground and Third Space Option 212 Summary 213 Chapter 7 - Conclusions and Recommendations 216 Aims and Objectives 216 Conclusions 217 Reflections of the Research 226 Recommendations 227 Bibliography 230 Appendix A 284 Appendix B 293 Appendix C 295 Appendix D 297 6 Appendix E 305 Appendix F 306 Appendix G 393 Appendix H – Supplementary Data 399 7 List of Tables Table 1 Thematic Analysis of Interviews Overarching nodes ................................. 128 Table 2 Themes and Subthemes Results chapters ................................................ 129 Table 3 Themes and Subthemes for the ‘Debate’ .................................................. 136 Table 4 Coding Matrix Nodes Represented in Chapter 5 (row percentage split – interviews v online ethnographic data) ................................................................... 137 Table 5 What is a woman? Coding matrix query with attribute values ................... 162 Table 6 What is a Woman Question? Coding matrix query with attribute values ... 162 Table 7 What is a Woman and what is a woman question? Coding Matrix Interviews and Ethnographic data split. ................................................................................... 163 Table 8 Themes and Subthemes Chapter 6 ........................................................... 175 Table 9 Coding Matrix Nodes Represented in Chapter 6 (row percentage split – interviews v online ethnographic data) ................................................................... 176 Table 10 MVAW Coding Matrix query with attribute values .................................... 195 8 List of Figures Figure 1 Transgender Umbrella, Transgender Trend, 2016 ..................................... 23 Figure 2 What is a Woman? Online Ethnography Screenshot May 2020................. 41 Figure 3 JK Rowling, Online Ethnography Screenshots, June to September 2020 .. 43 Figure 4 Queer theory – What is a woman? Online Ethnography Screenshot, February 2020 .......................................................................................................... 76 Figure 5 Silencing, Online Ethnography Screenshot, May 2019 .............................. 86 Figure 6 Data Triangulation Method ....................................................................... 111 Figure 7 The Left Node Word Cloud....................................................................... 141 Figure 8 The Left Node - Expel me/Labour Losing Women Online Ethnography Hashtags Word Cloud ............................................................................................ 143 Figure 9 Why Campaign Node Word Cloud ........................................................... 148 Figure 10 Transgender Rights Movement Node Word Cloud ................................. 155 Figure 11 What is a woman? Online Ethnography Screenshot, June 2020 ........... 160 Figure 12 What is a Woman Question Node – Adult Human Female Word Cloud . 165 Figure 13 What is a woman? – Transwomen are Women Online Ethnography Screenshot, July 2019 ............................................................................................ 168