Content Warning: Discussion of Sexual Assault
The CEO of the Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre (ERCC) has stepped down after an independent review by Rape Crisis Scotland (RCS) found that she did not behave professionally within her position.
Commissioned in May last year, the report found that under the leadership of Mridul Wadhwa – who has been CEO since 2021 – the service fell short of several goals that it aims to achieve, and as a result has harmed survivors.
Among the failings are “a strategy which did not put survivors first”, “a failure to protect women only spaces”, and “a CEO who did not understand the limits on her role’s authority”.
The report stated that:
“ERCC needs to implement a change of culture and strengthen many of its basic systems”.
The report was sparked following the dismissal of a gender critical staff member, Roz Adams, who believed the patrons of the service should be entitled to know the gender of the staff they are consulting with.
The RCS report focused on their service of protection, which stated ERCC had done “damage to some survivors”.
Yet, it also found that ERCC continued to “deliver high quality services to a significant number of people”.
In a statement released on Thursday, 12 September, the ERCC Board of Directors said “We recognise that we got things wrong. We are sorry”.
“We are committed to putting things right and implementing the recommendations in the report”.
A day later, Friday 13 September, they announced their decision to relieve Wadhwa of her position.
They added that:
“We are committed to delivering excellence while taking on board the recommendations from the independent review to ensure we place survivors’ voices at the heart of our strategy”.
One student told the Student that:
“I feel disappointed yet also not surprised.”
“I’m scared for all the people that have been let down by this organisation”.
Reacting to Wadhwa’s resignation, another student called the move “disheartening”.
“Rather than fixing the situation, it feels like [ERCC] are trying to pass the blame”.
“No tangible actions have been made yet. What are they trying to achieve to fix the situation?”
Following the review and announcement of Wadhwa’s resignation, survivors are no longer being referred to the service as a means of accessing treatment, as the organisation have paused their outreach efforts.
The ERCC has been among the external resources recommended by the University of Edinburgh within its Report and Support service for victims of sexual violence and abuse.
Self-referral is still available.
A new Trustee Board has been assigned to implement the recommended changes.
In a statement, the Board of Directors at ERCC stated:
“We want to reassure all survivors who are currently accessing our services and anyone seeking support that we are still here for you, and you matter to us”.
There are a number of resources available to those who have experienced sexual assault.
These include the university’s Equally Safe Team and NHS Scotland’s sexual assault self-referral phone service (SARCS).
Image via Jack Davies