1 IN 3 PARLY WOMEN SEXUALLY HARASSED
Bombshell survey reveals extent of creepy culture and sexism at Holyrood
ALMOST one in three women working at the Scottish Parliament have experienced sexual harassment or sexist behaviour.
And the bombshell survey published yesterday revealed that nearly half of those deemed to be perpetrators were MSPs.
The report was commissioned last year after the Record exposed revelations that several male MSPs had been accused of “creepy” behaviour.
SNP MSP Mark McDonald subsequently resigned as Children’s Minister and was suspended from the SNP pending an investigation into allegations made about him.
A total of 1039 confidential surveys were filled out and while 78 per cent of respondents said they had not experienced harassment or sexist behaviour, 20 per cent said they had.
It found 30 per cent of women and six per cent of men had experienced such behaviour while working at the Parliament.
For women, the most common issues were sexist comments (20 per cent compared with two per cent of men), looks or leers (16 per cent compared with three per cent) and unwanted physical contact (nine per cent versus one per cent).
Of those who reported harassment or sexist behaviour, 45 per cent identified the perpetrator as an MSP.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she was “shocked, saddened and disappointed” by the findings.
She added: “It is clear that women and men – but mainly women – have put up with behaviour that is unacceptable.
“No one should be subject to harassment or sexist behaviour of any kind in their work or personal life and our national parliament should set a positive example as a place of work with the highest standards of behaviour.”
Holyrood’s Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh issued an apology.
He said: “The party leaders and SPCB have reiterated their strong commitment to tackling these issues and ensuring zero-tolerance is not simply a policy statement but is a daily reality for those who work here.”