Meeting of the Parliament 24 November 2015
Indeed, but even more about the way in which sex is presented in terms of respect and consent needs to go throughout the curriculum. We also need to address the constant bombardment of children with sexualised images of women and girls.
It is no surprise that lads’ mags are going out of business as the material that they used to contain is available in mainstream publications and on advertising hoardings. However, some of the worst offenders are in publications that are aimed at young women and girls. I have been a bit shocked by some of the ways that I have seen women portrayed in the magazines that I have seen at the hairdresser.
There is still a need for further legislation and other actions in Scotland on many matters connected to gender-based violence. Some campaigners are pushing for more wide-ranging gender-based violence legislation. Perhaps it could be part of the programme for government in the next Scottish parliamentary session.
Gender-based violence is a spectrum of attitudes and activities, and I would be very surprised if any woman in this building had not at some time been the victim of sexual harassment, unwanted and unwelcome sexual advances, or physical contact or comments. We all recognise those feeling of embarrassment and shame and the reluctance to make a fuss in case we are overreacting. Was it just a laugh? Do we have no sense of humour? There is the suspicion that we brought it on ourselves by the way that we were dressed or the fact that we smiled or were too friendly. Did we appear to be asking for it?
This morning, we heard from victims of domestic abuse, and much of what they were saying was that, somehow, they felt partially responsible for what happened to them. I am sure that none of us want our daughters, nieces or granddaughters to have those same experiences. Attitudes need to change and legislators have an important role in that process—look at how the public perception of drink driving has changed because of legislative changes.
Women adopting sexist attitudes and practices towards men is no part of the answer. I was quite disgusted to hear on the radio recently about a hotel in the Highlands where male staff were objecting to wearing kilts because they were being sexually assaulted by drunk women. Drunk women attacking young men is not funny. It may be the way in which those women think that they can counteract what has happened to them, but it is not acceptable and it in no way contributes to tackling violence against women and girls.
Gender-based violence is a serious issue, and we all need to take it more seriously.
I move amendment S4M-14930.1, to leave out from “notes continuing progress” to “11 November” and insert:
“reaffirms the cross-party support for Equally Safe, Scotland’s strategy on preventing and eradicating all forms of violence against women and girls; acknowledges the inaugural meeting of the Equally Safe Joint Strategic Board, co-chaired by the Scottish Government and COSLA, on 11 November and the need for continued strategic funding for projects and organisations and for further legislation to tackle all forms of gender-based violence in Scotland”.
14:51Motions, questions or amendments mentioned by their reference code.