News

RASASH STATEMENT: HIGHLAND COUNCIL TAXI OPERATOR’S LICENCE DECISION

PRESS RELEASE

RASASH is deeply troubled by the recent decision by Highland Council’s Licensing Committee to approve a taxi operator’s licence for David Brown, a man convicted of raping a young woman in the course of his work – a decision taken despite an objection from Police Scotland.

Our first thoughts are with the survivor and her family. No decision-making process should add to the distress of someone who has already shown enormous courage in coming forward and living through a criminal trial.

We are shocked, not just that Brown’s operating licence was approved given he used his profession to perpetrate his attack, but that the decision was made behind closed doors, against objections from Police Scotland, and without public justification.

This outcome risks making women and girls feel less safe – particularly when taxis are something women are actively told to use to keep themselves safe at night. Decisions with real consequences for the safety of women and girls, and that are firmly in the public interest, should not be made in private.

“Women and girls deserve, and need, to know exactly why the committee concluded that this outcome was acceptable and how it plans to keep them safe going forward,” said Romy Rehfeld, CEO of RASASH. “We understand that a distinction has been made between David Brown’s taxi driver licence, which is suspended, and his taxi operator licence, which was approved. However, without transparency on how the outcome was reached, it is hard to understand why such a decision would be made – particularly given the real fears this creates for women and girls in the community.”

Many partners across the Highlands are working hard to make communities safer from sexual violence, but decisions like this one sadly set that work back. They have the power to make women and girls feel less safe, and to send a message that other interests take priority over their safety.

At a point when sexual offending is at record levels, councillors have a real opportunity to show they take this issue seriously and be transparent in their decision-making. Reports that the decision was split along gender lines, with only male councillors voting to approve the operating licence, are deeply disappointing.

It is essential that more men play an active role in tackling gender-based violence, through listening to survivors, undertaking training, and holding perpetrators to account. We hope the councillors involved in approving this licence will take stock of the concerns raised by us, survivors, and the wider community.

RASASH is calling on Highland Council to:

• Overturn the decision or, failing that, provide a full and transparent explanation of why it was made.
• Commission a review of the licensing procedures and criteria applied, to ensure gender-based violence considerations are embedded in future decisions.
• Engage specialist local partners, such as RASASH and the Highland Violence Against Women Partnership, to deliver mandatory trauma-informed training for councillors and relevant staff.
• Commit publicly to transparent decision-making on all matters affecting public safety, particularly the safety of women and girls.

If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual violence, support is available via RASASH’s support line (Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri 1-5pm) and the national Rape Crisis Scotland Helpline on 08088 010 302 (open daily 5pm – midnight). You can reach RASASH by: Phone: 03330 066 909 Text: 07451 288 080 Email: support@rasash.org.uk 

For media enquiries, please contact romy@rasash.org.uk or the national Rape Crisis Scotland office via nicola.love@rapecrisisscotland.org.uk