A mum is refusing to take her daughter back to a leisure centre after learning it has unisex changing rooms.
Michelle Evans says "anything could happen" and has cancelled her membership of Bitterne Leisure Centre in a fit of fury.
The 52-year-old said the move to unisex changing rooms while swimming lessons are taking place makes women and girls – including her 10-year-old daughter – vulnerable.
But Active Nation, which runs the centre, stand firm by the decision.
'It's disgraceful'
Michelle, from Bitterne Park, has been taking her daughter to the leisure centre, on Dean Road, for swimming lessons since the start of the year.
Her daughter has enjoyed “gaining independence” by going into the changing rooms herself to hang up her bag and prepare for her lesson.
But this has now been snatched away from her, said Michelle.
“I can no longer let her go in the changing rooms on her own – anything could happen”, she said, adding: “People can be opportunistic”.
According to the signs displayed on the changing room doors, the unisex rule only comes into force at certain times of the day.
But Michelle said this still poses a risk and immediately made a complaint after spotting the signs on July 18.
READ MORE: School plans to extend toilet block after student unisex loos protest
She later made the decision to cancel her membership.
Michelle said: “When my friend’s husband takes their children swimming, he takes them into the male changing rooms with him, and he would not go into the female changing rooms.
“It is disgraceful, and I can’t believe Active Nation has done this.
“They are not putting the safety of children first, or supporting female-only spaces which are especially important for changing rooms.
“My daughter is not comfortable with it, and I am making a point to protect her.”
Michelle says she hopes Active Nation changes their policy, or she will have to find a new place to take her daughter swimming.
She said: “My daughter’s safety is my number one priority.
“I am hoping Active Nation will reverse the decision for the safety of women and girls, as this makes us vulnerable.
“I am absolutely fuming about it all. “
Unisex timings
During certain times of the day, both the male and female changing rooms become unisex.
People are urged to use the ‘correct changing room outside of these days and times’.
On Monday and Tuesday, the unisex rule is in force from 4.30pm to 6pm, while on Wednesday and Thursday it is in place from 3.15pm to 6pm.
On Saturday the changing rooms will be unisex from 8am to 10pm.
Meanwhile, the rule is not in force on Friday or Sunday.
'This has been in force for many years'
Despite fresh concerns, the unisex rule has been in place for many years, according to Active Nation.
This allows parents to ensure that suitable supervision and assistance is available to their children who are too young to dress themselves, the company said.
A spokesperson added: “Unfortunately, Bitterne does not have a large family changing village, such as that at The Quays Swimming and Diving Complex.
“Bitterne has operated with unisex changing facilities during swimming lessons for many years.
“There also individual family and accessible changing facilities available for those not wishing to use the unisex changing facilities during swimming lessons.”
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