Parents call for probe after Mermaids worker 'posted explicit photo'

Parents of children who used trans charity Mermaids call for watchdog probe after worker ‘posed naked in explicit images and posted ‘sexualised’ photo of him as a schoolgirl on Instagram’

• Darren Mew became digital engagement officer at Mermaids in September 2021
• But parents of children who have used charity have complained to the watchdog
• It comes after Mew shared explicit picture in a short skirt on Instagram last year
• They also featured in naked collage holding penis for LGBT outlet Haus Magazine
• Mew no longer works for charity, which says it’s not been informed of complaint

Parents of children who used transgender charity Mermaids have complained to the watchdog after an employee reportedly posted explicit pictures and sexualised images ‘as a schoolgirl’ online.

Darren Mew, until recently a former digital engagement officer at the charity and who identifies as ‘they/them’, shared a picture of themself on Instagram showing an upward view through a short skirt they were wearing.

The image, hashtagged ‘nonbinaryfinery’, was captioned: ‘Sorry I can’t hear you. I’m just out here living my fantasy.’

The picture of the short skirt was shared on Instagram when their account was public in February last year. It has since been turned private. 

Mew also featured in a collection of pictures for LGBT outlet Haus Magazine in which they are naked, holding their erect penis, with pairs of breasts that have further penises protruding from them.

Hause Magazine tweeted the picture in June 2020, saying: ‘Darren Mew by Giulio Di Ghonno for Haus Issue 3: Sex Issue. Full XXX Collage Series available in the issue online.’

It comes as the charity says it will close its helpline tomorrow amid ‘unacceptable abuse’ aimed at its staff.

A parent whose daughter once used Mermaids has complained to the Charity Commission citing serious concerns over Mew after she became aware of the explicit pictures, The Times reports.

Calling for an investigation, she told the watchdog that Mew is ‘seemingly hairless like a young boy… the graphic clearly presents the imagery of amputated breasts. 

Darren Mew, a digital engagement officer at the charity since September last year, posted explicit pictures and sexualised images ‘as a schoolgirl’ online

The complaint added: ‘In another Darren wears a Hentai style schoolgirl skirt and adopts a provocative pose and appears to be broadcasting sexualised little girl vibes.’

Mew, meanwhile, is self-described as an ‘experienced digital media specialist with a demonstrated history of working in the creative industry’ on his LinkedIn page.

It says Mew worked as a digital engagement officer at Mermaids and a social media officer at the London Queer Fashion Show.

Until recently, a staff profile on the Mermaids website also read: ‘Darren joined Mermaids in 2021. 

‘They have many years of experience working in the LGBT+ and charity sectors, and believe in the power of community and bringing people together.

‘When they aren’t working, you’ll often find them reading magazines, watching videos or at a drag show.’

Mew was nominated for a positive role model award at the National Diversity Awards in 2020.

The complaint to the charity watchdog comes after a string of recent controversies involving Mermaids.

The charity is being investigated following revelations that one of its staff had agreed to send a breast binder to an undercover journalist posing as a teenage girl. 

It has also attracted additional scrutiny following its legal attempt to remove the charity status of the LGB Alliance – a charity set up to uphold gay, lesbian and bisexual rights.

Scores of gender critical activists have criticised its practices, while author JK Rowling openly challenged Mermaids on Twitter.

Last week it was also revealed that one of Mermaids trustees, Jacob Breslow, had spoken at a conference for B4U-ACT, a group assisting ‘self-identified individuals… who are are sexually attracted to children’.

Mew describes themself as an ‘experienced digital media specialist with a demonstrated history of working in the creative industry’

In a subsequent statement, Dr Breslow said : ‘I unequivocally condemn child sexual abuse. My work is about protecting marginalised children and young people, not exposing them to harm.

‘I believed at the time that the purpose of the conference was to enable better treatments and interventions that prevent harm to children. I have not been affiliated with B4U-ACT since.

‘I decided to resign as a Trustee of Mermaids as I did not want to distract from the good work the charity is doing to help transgender and gender diverse children.’

Mermaids has insisted it is the victim of a ‘smear campaign’, adding that it has been forced to close its contact centre after being bombarded with abuse.

A spokesperson for the charity said: ‘Mermaids would like to update our service users and allies in light of recent events. Firstly, we have regrettably continued to receive a high volume of distressing, and in some cases threatening, calls, emails and web chat contacts as a result of some of the recent coverage. 

‘We must protect our staff from this unacceptable abuse, and therefore we will be closing the helpline service tomorrow (Wednesday) in order to give them respite. 

‘We will be resuming a normal service as soon as we can, but we are operating in a particularly challenging environment at present and there may be further interruptions to our usual service.

‘We are taking all possible steps in response, including referring all contacts of a criminal nature to the police.

‘Secondly, The Times newspaper published an article today about a former member of staff. While we can confirm that the person referred to no longer works for the charity, we are unable to comment further due to the need to maintain confidentiality.

‘We note claims in the paper that an anonymous person has made a complaint to the Charity Commission but have not been informed about it directly and so are not aware of its precise nature. Should the Charity Commission have any questions for us then we will of course answer them.

‘We must apologise for the need to write again with news of this nature but remain enormously grateful for your support as we navigate this challenging period.’ 

Source: Read Full Article