UK counsellor dismissed for gender-critical views awarded US$90,000 after winning claim

A counsellor who was constructively dismissed by a rape crisis centre over her gender-critical views has called for “meaningful change” and a “definition of woman” as she was awarded nearly £70,000 (US$90,400) by a UK judge.

Counselling support worker Roz Adams, who now works for a service founded by author J.K. Rowling, won a claim of constructive dismissal against Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre (ERCC) in May, with the tribunal judge finding she had suffered harassment and discrimination.

A tribunal heard that the then chief executive of ERCC, Mridul Wadhwa, a transwoman who took office in 2021 and resigned in September, decided that Adams was “transphobic”, leading to a “completely spurious and mishandled” disciplinary process in June 2022 that forced her to resign the following spring.

On Wednesday, Adams thanked supporters and said she planned to “rest” after ERCC was ordered to pay her £68,989.71.

Adams now works for Beira’s Place, founded by J.K. Rowling, and said she planned to study non-violent communication skills.

In a ruling in May, Judge Ian McFatridge said ERCC “wished to make an example” because of Adams’ beliefs and it appeared to be the view of senior management that she was “guilty of a heresy” in that she did not fully subscribe to the gender ideology which they wished to promote.