A scandal at Leeds Women's Aid

‘Katie’ Dolatowski

Leeds Women’s Aid (LWA), a refuge run by Leeds Domestic Violence Service, commissioned by Leeds City Council, has come under scrutiny following an investigation that found no recommendations were made, and no changes were made to policy, after convicted paedophile Katie Dolatowski resided at the refuge for 71 days.

Dolatowski identified as a woman and “duped” Leeds Women’s Aid using false documentation, concealing previous convictions for child sex offences. While housed in an annex, Dolatowski had access to communal areas, including a shared garden. Despite reassurances by Farah Nazeer, Chief Executive at Women’s Aid Federation of England, that the situation was a priority and would be reviewed, no recommendations were made, and no policies were changed following the investigation.

Members of Leeds Resisters, an activist group, have been campaigning for Leeds City Council to apply single-sex exceptions permitted in the Equality Act 2010 to some of its services to protect vulnerable women and children. The group has repeatedly asked for timescales for a planned consultation by Leeds Women’s Aid on the services it provides, but none have been provided. Leeds Resisters insist that if women do not feel comfortable using a mixed-sex service, they are likely to self-exclude, and local authorities have a duty to mitigate that risk.

Leeds Resisters further argue that if Leeds Women’s Aid had applied the single sex exception as detailed in the Equality Act 2010, this incident would not have occurred. Women and children must have their privacy, dignity and safety protected, and organisations should not ignore the risk to women and children in their rush to be seen as inclusive. A spokeswoman for Leeds Resisters stated that the incident was a significant safeguarding failure and the response by Leeds City Council has been inadequate.

It is critical to ensure the protection of the most vulnerable in our society. Women and children seeking refuge services must be able to trust that they are accessing a safe and secure environment, and it is the responsibility of Leeds City Council to ensure this.