Rape Crisis Scotland chief executive Sandy Brindley steps down after 24 years

The chief executive of Rape Crisis Scotland has stood down after 24 years at the organisation.

Sandy Brindley has been part of the Rape Crisis movement for more than three decades, beginning as a volunteer support worker in 1994 before setting up Rape Crisis Scotland in 2002.

She will be replaced by Alev Taylor, who will act as interim chief executive, when Ms Brindley departs the organisation later this month.

Ms Brindley’s decision to step down comes amid controversies surrounding the organisation regarding ongoing rows over gender.

She issued an apology in 2024 after a review by RCS found the CEO of Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre did not provide dedicated women-only spaces – a requirement by National Service Standards.

Mridul Wadhwa – a trans woman – resigned after the report also found the CEO had failed to “set professional standards of behaviour” and that the centre “did not put survivors first”.

Edinburgh & East

Rape crisis centre CEO resigns after ‘failing to act professionally’

Mridul Wadhwa has stood down from her role at Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre after a report was published into the site’s fallings.

A woman also won her employment tribunal case against ERCC in May 2024 after claiming she was subjected to a “heresy hunt” for her gender critical views.

The tribunal judge found Roz Adams had suffered harassment and discrimination after Wadhwa appeared to form the view that Ms Adams was transphobic – leading to a “completely spurious and mishandled” disciplinary process.

Meanwhile in October 2024, Glasgow and Clyde Rape Crisis ended its association with Rape Crisis Scotland, following “concerns” it had about the “direction and focus” of the organisation overall.

GCRC said its priority was to provide “single-sex services delivered by an all-female workforce”, which puts it “at odds” with Rape Crisis Scotland’s priorities.

Rape Crisis Scotland responded that member centres “deliver services in a variety of ways, tailored to the needs of the communities they serve”.

‘A privilege to stand with survivors’

In a statement, Ms Brindley said it had been a privilege to work alongside those in the Rape Crisis movement in Scotland over the last three decades.

“The Rape Crisis movement in Scotland is full of wonderful, dedicated and passionate staff and volunteers – it has been such a privilege to work alongside them to stand with survivors, and to transform how Scotland responds to sexual violence.

“I’m really pleased to hand over to Alev, who I know cares as much about the Rape Crisis movement, and making Scotland a better place for survivors of sexual violence, as I do.”

Ms Taylor, who was previously chief executive of Rape and Sexual Abuse Service Highland, said she was delighted to be stepping into the role and committed to supporting rape survivors.

She said: ”It’s a real honour to come into a national organisation that has made life-changing differences to survivors across Scotland for more than two decades. I have confidence that the foundation for the Rape Crisis movement across Scotland will stand strong in the years to come.

“I am delighted to work with such a steadfast and caring team over the upcoming period of transition and remain firm in my commitment to support survivors and end sexual violence. I wish Sandy all the very best.”