Author JK Rowling has opened up a female only shelter for survivors of sexual violence in Edinburgh.
Rowling, who is the founder and financial backer of the service, said she launched it in order to provide what she believes “is currently an unmet need for women in the Lothians area.”
The shelter, called Beira’s place, will provide ”support, advocacy and information for women survivors of sexual violence aged 16 and over”.
The Harry Potter author who has been an outspoken opponent of biological males identifying as women accessing female only spaces and services, continued that as a “survivor of sexual assault” herself “ she knows “how important it is that survivors have the option of women-centred and women-delivered care at such a vulnerable time.”
Beira’s place says it “has been set up in response to demand from female survivors for a women-only service, as one is currently not available in the area.”
Representatives say the service has been “set up by women, for women” and that those seeking support will be able to access help from female workers meaning “the first person you speak to will be a woman, any support you receive will be from a woman and you can be guaranteed that when you visit our centre everyone in the building will be women.”
The board of the shelter consists of five women including Rowling; former prison governor Rhona Hotchkiss; previous Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont; GP Margaret McCartney; and director of For Women Scotland Susan Smith.
The service says it will “be run by a paid staff of experienced support workers, headed up by CEO Isabelle Kerr and Deputy CEO Susan Domminney, who between them have 32 years of experience running Glasgow and Clyde Rape Crisis.”