Just Stop Oil have written to supporters with details of horrific abuse from within the organisation. They wrote:

Just Stop Oil has always stood for a vision that extends far beyond the climate crisis. At its heart, it has been a campaign for justice and hope, striving for a society free from prejudice, discrimination, and abuse. It is therefore with profound regret and anger that we must address a grave failure within our own ranks.

We are writing to share deeply troubling allegations of abuse carried out by two individuals previously employed by our campaign.

They detail that:

Beginning in 2022, two men, named Aaron Gunning and Joseph Linhart, are alleged to have systematically targeted and abused young female staff and volunteers. Our HR team has compiled a list of serious accusations from multiple women, which include grooming, coercion, sexual assault, and rape.

However, they appear to have deleted any mention of the abuse from their social media account – despite having initially tweeted it themselves.

Just Stop Oil

The group also don’t have the message sent to supporters on their site, or any other social media. Unfortunately, it would appear that currently the only way to view their statement in full is via Dorset Eye. Just Stop Oil describe the abuse as evidence of their “own institutional failure.” And, they state that:

Our well-intentioned culture of radical trust proved inadequate, and in its place, a toxic culture of shame and silence was allowed to develop—one that protected the abusers, not the victims.

We know that this admission comes too late for many. It is with a deep, burning anger that we recognise how incredible female talent was driven from our campaign as a result of the actions of these two individuals. Unfortunately, they may not be alone.

The dynamic they describe is one that is typical in organising spaces. People subjected to terrible abuse have their experiences silenced, often for the benefit of supposed group harmony and commitment to broader political goals. Naturally, people who would otherwise object to Just Stop Oil’s existence and purposes have been quick to use this admission as evidence that the organisation is not fit for purpose.

However, facile arguments like the above should not colour the response to the statement. The abuse that is described is not a problem Just Stop Oil have alone; it is the problem of rape culture that permeates into every possible part of society.

Ongoing abuse

The fact the information is no longer as widely available is extremely troubling. If Just Stop Oil are as committed to dismantling the rape culture within the organisation, where have the statements gone? Why aren’t they all over their social media? This is especially troubling given the fact that the original statement makes it clear that:

For those reading this, you may have faced abuse from others not named here. You are right to question why only two names are mentioned. Please understand that this public statement is an extraordinary step. We are taking it because we believe abuse is ongoing and individuals within our community remain at risk. Should you believe further action is needed regarding other people involved with the campaign, we urge you to get in touch. We have implemented structural changes to ensure victims are heard, and our HR team now has our full trust and backing.

And, alarmingly, they even warn other organisations from working with the two named abusers:

Make no mistake: the fact that multiple courageous young women have come forward to name Aaron Gunning and Joseph Linhart as manipulative and abusive misogynists capable of sexual assault and rape is, in itself, a call for immediate action. They are now excluded from all Just Stop Oil circles, and we warn other campaigns to do the same.

‘No room for abusers in the future we are building’

Just Stop Oil conclude that:

As we look ahead, we are committed to learning from these devastating mistakes. It is with a sense of sober pride that we look at the team building our next campaign—a steering group led by a majority of brave, intelligent women. There will be no room for abusers in the future we are building.

Women shouldn’t have to be brave merely to exist in these spaces. And, there will be many of us who have direct experience of the grooming, culture of coercion, and sexual abuse that is rampant in not only organising spaces, but more broadly in society. It is deeply troubling that Just Stop Oil refer to abuse they suspect is still ongoing, from abusers who are yet to be revealed.

We cannot allow confronting the climate crisis to be placed above the safety and wellbeing of the people doing that work. Tackling rape culture is a heart-wrenching and incomprehensibly difficult task. And, more often than not, the people tackling it are not passive observers but survivors of grotesque sexual attacks.

Featured image via Just Stop Oil

By Maryam Jameela

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