JK Rowling launches service for sexual assault survivors with her own money

Author J.K. Rowling, who penned the "Harry Potter" series, is launching a service aimed at being a resource for sexual assault victims over 16 years old.

The service, called Beira's Place, will provide "support, advocacy and information" for women in Scotland.

"We are pleased to announce the launch of Beira's Place, a new service providing support, advocacy and information for women survivors of sexual violence aged 16 and over in Edinburgh and the Lothians," the tweet from the new program reads.

"For those who need it," Rowling added.

The news prompted an "I Stand with JK Rowling" trending hashtag on Twitter.

The service will employ a board of directors made up of a former prison governor; a former member of the Scottish Labour Party (democratic socialists), Johann Lamont; a general practitioner; and the director of For Women Scotland, Susan Smith, according to Elle Magazine via MSN.

For Women Scotland is noted as a campaign that opposes the right for individuals in Scotland to legally change their gender by a simple declaration. The debate is centered around the Gender Recognition Reform Bill, which is set to be debated before the end of 2022.

"I founded Beira’s Place to provide what I believe is currently an unmet need for women in the Lothians area. As a survivor of sexual assault myself, I know how important it is that survivors have the option of women-centered and women-delivered care at such a vulnerable time," Rowling said in a statement.

"Beira’s Place will offer an increase in capacity for services in the area and will, I hope, enable more women to process and recover from their trauma," she continued.

Rowling told the Telegraph that she didn't feel that she has been "cancelled," before remarking on her monetary status in regards to her plans to self-funding the service.

“I will always be able to feed my kids, even if everyone boycotts my books for the rest of my life. That is a phenomenally privileged position to be in," said the author.

“The only time I've ever made reference to being cancelled, my book sales went up," she added.

Rowling has faced criticism both online and in the media for being "transphobic," as she sparked controversy by opposing the phrase "people who menstruate," preferring to simply refer to those people as women.

Rowling has been both praised and condemned by actors in the book-inspired "Harry Potter" films; Tom Felton has praised her as "lovely," while star Daniel Radcliffe has stated that he felt bad for transgender youth who were hurt by her remarks.