# Beira's Place

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Scottish sexual violence support service

Beira's Place Formation 2022 Founder J. K. Rowling Legal status Company Purpose Sexual violence support Headquarters Edinburgh, Scotland Chief executive officer Isabelle Kerr Website beirasplace.org.uk

**Beira's Place** ([/ˈbaɪrə/](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/English) [*BY-rə*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Pronunciation_respelling_key))[1] is a Scotland-based private support service for female victims of [sexual violence](/source/Sexual_violence).[2] Founded in 2022 by [J. K. Rowling](/source/J._K._Rowling), the organisation describes itself as a "[women-only service](/source/Women-only_space)", and does not hire or provide services to [transgender](/source/Transgender) women.

## History

Beira's Place is a privately owned and operated [domestic violence](/source/Domestic_violence_in_the_United_Kingdom) service that was formed to provide support to women aged 16 and over in [Edinburgh](/source/Edinburgh) and the [Lothians](/source/Lothian) who are survivors of sexual violence.[3][4][5]

The organisation was established in December 2022 by British author and philanthropist J. K. Rowling as its founder and financial backer, with the express goal of providing "women-centred and women-delivered care".[6][7] Rowling said the impetus to set up the centre was her fury on hearing that the trans CEO of the Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre, [Mridul Wadhwa](/source/Mridul_Wadhwa), had said that victims of sexual abuse must "reframe" their trauma if they disagreed with being treated by a trans woman.[8][9] In a statement provided by the organisation, Beira's Place wrote "we believe that women deserve to have certainty that, in using our services, they will not encounter anyone who is male. Where appropriate, we will refer men or individuals identifying as trans women to other appropriate services."[10][5]

The organisation was named for [Beira](/source/Cailleach), the Scottish goddess of winter who represents "female wisdom, power, and regeneration".[1][11]

After the founding of Beira's Place, several public figures and organisations expressed their support for the service, while some criticised its exclusion of transgender people. [Rape Crisis Scotland](/source/Rape_Crisis_Scotland) publicly welcomed the establishment of "any new service" in light of existing services' underfunding and long waiting lists, while emphasizing the importance of serving trans and non-binary people and noting that rape crisis centres in Scotland had done so for years without incident.[6] [UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women](/source/United_Nations_Special_Rapporteur_on_Violence_Against_Women) [Reem Alsalem](/source/Reem_Alsalem) welcomed the new service, stating "the prevention and response to violence against women requires an all-society approach, so it is great to see different actors who have the means, including private individuals, play their part."[12]

In June 2023, Police Scotland announced that they would create a direct referral procedure for assault survivors to Beira's Place, similar to the existing referral process for Rape Crisis Scotland.[13]

## Structure

The group's founding came shortly before a vote on the [Gender Recognition Reform](/source/Gender_Recognition_Reform_(Scotland)_Bill) bill.[14] Single-sex services in Scotland, and whether or not trans people should be included in them, are associated with the bill.[14] Beira's Place is not a [registered charity of Scotland](/source/Registered_charity_of_Scotland).[6] As such, it does not accept donations and is funded by Rowling.[15] Alongside Rowling, the current board members of the organisation are Rhona Hotchkiss (a former prison governor), [Johann Lamont](/source/Johann_Lamont), Susan Smith (director of [For Women Scotland](/source/For_Women_Scotland)), and [Margaret McCartney](/source/Margaret_McCartney).[15] All board members have been critical of the Scottish Government's [proposed reforms to the Gender Recognition Act](/source/Gender_Recognition_Reform_(Scotland)_Bill).[16] The founding CEO of the organisation is Isabelle Kerr, formerly manager of [Glasgow and Clyde Rape Crisis Centre](/source/Rape_Crisis_Scotland#Local_rape_crisis_centres_in_Scotland), and its deputy CEO is Sue Domminney.[9][1] Interviewed on the anniversary of the service's opening, Kerr said that its phone service had helped almost 2,000 people seeking support, and over 250 survivors of violence had used its safe space.[17]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-about-us_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-about-us_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-about-us_1-2) ["About Us"](https://beirasplace.org.uk/about/). *Beira's Place*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20221214195350/https://beirasplace.org.uk/about/) from the original on 14 December 2022. Retrieved 14 December 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-:32_2-0)** ["Beira's Place Home"](https://beirasplace.org.uk/). *Beira's Place*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20221214195349/https://beirasplace.org.uk/) from the original on 14 December 2022. Retrieved 14 December 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Glass_2022_3-0)** Glass, JD (14 December 2022). ["J.K. Rowling Funds Sex Abuse Crisis Center That Excludes Trans Women"](https://www.advocate.com/transgender/2022/12/14/jk-rowling-funds-sex-abuse-crisis-center-excludes-trans-women). *The Advocate*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230325224457/https://www.advocate.com/transgender/2022/12/14/jk-rowling-funds-sex-abuse-crisis-center-excludes-trans-women) from the original on 25 March 2023. Retrieved 29 May 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Dagelty, Susan (12 December 2022). ["JK Rowling opens new sexual violence support service for women in Edinburgh"](https://www.scotsman.com/health/jk-rowling-opens-new-sexual-violence-support-service-for-women-in-edinburgh-3950083). *[The Scotsman](/source/The_Scotsman)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20221213182236/https://www.scotsman.com/health/jk-rowling-opens-new-sexual-violence-support-service-for-women-in-edinburgh-3950083) from the original on 13 December 2022. Retrieved 14 December 2022.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_5-1) Wakefield, Lily (12 December 2022). ["JK Rowling launches sex abuse support service that excludes trans women"](https://www.thepinknews.com/2022/12/12/jk-rowling-beiras-place-sex-abuse-trans-women/). *[PinkNews](/source/PinkNews)*. Retrieved 22 January 2024.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:1_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:1_6-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:1_6-2) Carrell, Severin (12 December 2022). ["JK Rowling launches support centre for female victims of sexual violence"](https://www.theguardian.com/books/2022/dec/12/jk-rowling-launches-support-centre-for-female-victims-of-sexual-violence). *the Guardian*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20221212165212/https://www.theguardian.com/books/2022/dec/12/jk-rowling-launches-support-centre-for-female-victims-of-sexual-violence) from the original on 12 December 2022. Retrieved 14 December 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["J.K. Rowling Launches A Service To Help Victims Of Sexual Violence"](https://www.barrons.com/news/j-k-rowling-launches-a-service-to-help-victims-of-sexual-violence-01670869812). *www.barrons.com*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20221214203946/https://www.barrons.com/news/j-k-rowling-launches-a-service-to-help-victims-of-sexual-violence-01670869812) from the original on 14 December 2022. Retrieved 14 December 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Sanderson, Daniel (12 December 2022). ["JK Rowling says she's rich enough to take the flak as she launches women-only support service"](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/12/12/jk-rowling-says-rich-enough-take-flak-launches-women-only-support/). *[The Daily Telegraph](/source/The_Daily_Telegraph)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20221212164223/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/12/12/jk-rowling-says-rich-enough-take-flak-launches-women-only-support/) from the original on 12 December 2022. Retrieved 2 January 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:7_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:7_9-1) Meighan, Craig (12 December 2022). ["JK Rowling opens 'women-only' centre for sex abuse survivors in Scotland"](https://www.thenational.scot/news/23185690.edinburgh-jk-rowling-opens-women-only-sex-abuse-survivors-centre/). *The National*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20221214203944/https://www.thenational.scot/news/23185690.edinburgh-jk-rowling-opens-women-only-sex-abuse-survivors-centre/) from the original on 14 December 2022. Retrieved 14 December 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Sanderson, Ginny (13 December 2022). ["JK Rowling opens Beira's Place, 'woman-only' sexual violence support service in Edinburgh"](https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/jk-rowling-opens-beiras-place-woman-only-sexual-violence-support-service-in-edinburgh/ar-AA15aL22). *Edinburgh Evening News*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20221214195347/https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/jk-rowling-opens-beiras-place-woman-only-sexual-violence-support-service-in-edinburgh/ar-AA15aL22) from the original on 14 December 2022. Retrieved 14 December 2022 – via MSN.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-TimesLaunch_11-0)** Turner, Janice (12 December 2022). ["JK Rowling launches sex abuse centre for women only"](https://www.thetimes.com/article/jk-rowling-new-service-women-sexual-violence-8k570kdt2). *[The Times](/source/The_Times)*. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0140-0460](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0140-0460). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20221214214217/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/jk-rowling-new-service-women-sexual-violence-8k570kdt2) from the original on 14 December 2022. Retrieved 14 December 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Horne, Marc. ["Rape Crisis founder backs Rowling's trauma centre"](https://www.thetimes.com/article/rape-crisis-founder-backs-rowlings-trauma-centre-d80bzn60n). *[The Times](/source/The_Times)*. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0140-0460](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0140-0460). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20221219100811/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/rape-crisis-founder-backs-rowlings-trauma-centre-d80bzn60n) from the original on 19 December 2022. Retrieved 17 December 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Wright, Mary (9 February 2024). ["Rape victims will be referred to Rowling's women-only centre"](https://www.thetimes.com/article/rape-victims-will-be-referred-to-rowlings-women-only-centre-tcb0vfpg3). *[The Times](/source/The_Times)*. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0140-0460](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0140-0460). Retrieved 9 February 2024.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:5_14-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:5_14-1) Wade, Mike (13 December 2022). ["Rape Crisis stands by trans survivors after JK Rowling opens single-sex centre"](https://www.thetimes.com/article/end-discrimination-and-open-up-shelter-rape-charity-tells-rowling-nm6wlxz00). *[The Times](/source/The_Times)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230101224947/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/end-discrimination-and-open-up-shelter-rape-charity-tells-rowling-nm6wlxz00) from the original on 1 January 2023. Retrieved 1 January 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:4_15-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:4_15-1) ["JK Rowling funds women-only rape help centre"](https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-63943766). *BBC News*. 12 December 2022. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20221214144952/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-63943766) from the original on 14 December 2022. Retrieved 14 December 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** McCool, Mary; Gordon, Lorna (20 May 2024). ["Rape centre worker wins tribunal over gender-critical beliefs"](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1ee39wn30xo). Retrieved 5 October 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** Scott, Marion (5 December 2023). ["Beira's Place: Thousands helped by JK Rowling rape centre"](https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/beiras-place-jk-rowling-rape-centre-edinburgh/). *The Sunday Post*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20231206150704/https://www.sundaypost.com/fp/beiras-place-jk-rowling-rape-centre-edinburgh/) from the original on 6 December 2023. Retrieved 6 December 2023.

v t e J. K. Rowling Political views Awards and nominations Wizarding World books Harry Potter The Philosopher's Stone (1997) The Chamber of Secrets (1998) The Prisoner of Azkaban (1999) The Goblet of Fire (2000) The Order of the Phoenix (2003) The Half-Blood Prince (2005) The Deathly Hallows (2007) Other Quidditch Through the Ages (2001) Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2001) Harry Potter prequel (2008) The Tales of Beedle the Bard (2008) Hogwarts: An Incomplete and Unreliable Guide (2016) Short Stories from Hogwarts of Power, Politics and Pesky Poltergeists (2016) Short Stories from Hogwarts of Heroism, Hardship and Dangerous Hobbies (2016) Cormoran Strike books (as Robert Galbraith) The Cuckoo's Calling (2013) The Silkworm (2014) Career of Evil (2015) Lethal White (2018) Troubled Blood (2020) The Ink Black Heart (2022) The Running Grave (2023) The Hallmarked Man (2025) Other works The Casual Vacancy (2012) Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (2016) The Ickabog (2020) The Christmas Pig (2021) Films and TV series Films produced Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 (2010) Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (2011) Films produced and written Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016) Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (2018) Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (2022) TV series adaptations The Casual Vacancy (2015) Strike (2017–present) Related Beira's Place Killiechassie Lumos Church Cottage, Tutshill Magic Beyond Words T. P. Wiseman Category

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Beira's Place](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beira's_Place) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beira's_Place?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.