A PhD student who faced a two-year hate campaign from transgender activists has said her university has won a “pyrrhic victory” after an employment tribunal dismissed her claim that it had breached any duty to protect her from bullying and harassment.
Raquel Rosario Sánchez sued the University of Bristol for allegedly failing in its duty of care towards her after she received months of threats, abuse and vilification for chairing a meeting by Woman’s Place UK. The feminist group, which faced disruptive protests in Bristol again this month, has been accused of transphobia – a claim it strongly denies – for its insistence that people cannot change their biological sex.
In the run-up to the event in February 2018, an open letter naming Ms Rosario Sánchez was circulated within the university, claiming that the event would stir up “fear and hate-based narratives” against the trans community and provide “a platform for hate speech”. Social media abuse followed, including a post by the open letter’s organiser – another Bristol PhD student – who wrote about their intention to “punch” attendees.
