Transgender CEO Resigns from Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre After Review Highlights Failures

Mridul Wadhwa, an Indian-origin transgender woman, resigned as CEO of Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre following a review citing failure to protect women-only spaces. The review criticized Wadhwa's understanding of her role's limits and highlighted poor governance. The Board has committed to addressing the recommendations and is seeking a new CEO.

In a significant development, Mridul Wadhwa, a Scotland-based Indian-origin transgender woman, resigned as the head of the Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre (ERCC) after an independent review exposed systemic failures in protecting women-only spaces.

The review, commissioned by Rape Crisis Scotland (RCS), pointed out that Wadhwa failed to grasp her role's authority limits and did not uphold professional standards of behavior. Triggered by an Employment Tribunal case filed by a former staff member, the May-commissioned review found critical lapses in ERCC's systems and governance.

Following the damning report by legal specialist Vicky Ling, the ERCC Board announced Wadhwa's resignation, pledging to implement the review's recommendations and prioritizing survivors' voices. The incident drew strong reactions, including from author J.K. Rowling, who supports women-only spaces.

(With inputs from agencies.)