Law professor 'scared' for her safety after speaking out on gender self-identification

 (Photo: Unsplash/Cecilie Johnsen)

An academic at the University of Reading says she has received rape and death threats from trans rights activists over her opposition to gender self-identification.

Prof Rosa Freedman said her office door had been covered in urine and that she had been forced to hide behind trees after being followed.

She also claimed to have received anonymous phone calls in the middle of the night from individuals who told her she 'should be raped and killed' for her beliefs on gender identity.

Prof Freedman, an expert in human rights law, said the campaign of harassment began after she took part in a public debate in which she voiced concerns about women's safety if the Government goes ahead with proposed changes to the UK's gender laws.

According to the Daily Mail, she explained further that she believed 'a woman should be defined by law as biological not psychological' and that other academics were being 'harassed' in the workplace for sharing the same view, even when it was evidence-based.

'[We] are being demonised, harassed, and targeted for expressing opinions based on the expertise for which we were hired and for why we are revered,' she wrote.

'This evening I was followed by students on campus, and ended up hiding behind trees because I was scared for my physical safety.

'I have been open about being a survivor of sexual violence, despite which young male-bodied persons have seen fit to abuse me verbally about rape or follow me in the dark into secluded spaces.'

She went on to say that with her experience of abuse, it was 'little wonder' that other women 'feel unable to speak up to protect women's rights'.

Prof Freedman also told the BBC that critics had branded her 'transphobic' and a 'Nazi' for her views.

Dr Chloe Houston, an associate professor at the university, condemned the 'abusive treatment' by 'anonymous cowards' and denied that her colleague was transphobic.

'Rosa has not expressed transphobic views and she is not transexclusionary,' she said.

Newsletter Stay up to date with Christian Today
News
What should Christians make of Tommy Robinson?
What should Christians make of Tommy Robinson?

In demanding that the likes of Robinson be banned from the Oxford Union, the clergy are in effect setting their own limit on freedom of speech and freedom of religion.

Christian woman persecuted by Iranian regime sentenced to 9 years in prison
Christian woman persecuted by Iranian regime sentenced to 9 years in prison

A Christian convert in Iran has been sentenced to nine years and eight months in prison on trumped-up charges linked to state security and anti-government activity.

John Lennox fears AI is making us lazy
John Lennox fears AI is making us lazy

Christian media leaders heard calls for courage, authenticity and discernment at the recent Revive 2026 conference.

Does the Church of England need to re-think its messaging?
Does the Church of England need to re-think its messaging?

If you look at the Church of England’s communications all that it ever seems to highlight is the good works that Christians do to improve the temporal well-being of their neighbours. It is right to highlight these things, but they are not the primary reason for the Church’s existence.