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National Helpline for LGBT+ Victims and Survivors of Abuse and Violence 0800 999 5428  |  Email help@galop.org.uk
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About
About GalopStoriesTrainingMedia CentreWork at GalopNewsletter
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News

Galop responds to Bridget Phillipson's comments about trans women in refuges

Galop is calling on the UK Government to take urgent action to ensure trans+ victims and survivors of abuse and violence can access safe accommodation, following the Supreme Court ruling and updated EHRC Code of Practice.
September 29, 2026
  • The Minister for Women and Equalities, Bridget Phillipson MP, said in an interview on 27 September that she would not allow trans women into a women's refuge
  • Galop's co-CEOs respond by highlighting the dangerous legal limbo trans+ people are currently facing
  • Galop asks UK Government to support trans+ people to find safe accommodation

Ben Kernighan and Jasmine O'Connor, co-CEOs of Galop, said: "If the UK Government's position is as the Minister for Women and Equalities, Bridget Phillipson, said on Sunday, that trans women should not be allowed in women's refuges, then it's their job to ensure trans+ people have accommodation they can access. Anyone who is escaping abuse and violence deserves a safe place to go. But the Supreme Court Ruling and the EHRC's updated Code of Practice has put trans+ victims and survivors in a dangerous state of limbo with no clear guidance on what services they can turn to.

"Over the last year, it has been virtually impossible for our frontline services to find anywhere safe for trans+ victims and survivors to go. Despite the fact that trans+ people are at particularly high risk of experiencing abuse and violence. We need direct action now from the UK Government to support trans+ people to find safe accommodation."

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National Helpline for LGBT+ Victims and Survivors of Abuse and Violence

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Galop is a Registered Charity: 1077384. Company limited by Guarantee (2969307). Registered as Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Anti-Violence and Policing Group.

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