Mixed toilet plans make for safer schools

Madam, – We are writing in response to a story which we were disappointed to see in The Courier “Women’s Campaign group calls for ‘Urgent’ investigation into gender neutral toilets in Tayside schools”, February 12.

We suspect that this is in reality driven by an agenda of opposition to transgender rights hiding behind unsupported allegations of increased sexual harassment.

The facilities that are complained about typically have individual cubicles, ensuring total privacy, and a central area of wash hand basins.

They are actually an enhancement for personal safety, as the handwashing facilities are open to the corridors and public areas so it decreases the amount of loitering and bullying that can take place in traditional single sex, enclosed toilets.

Providing mixed/ shared/uni-sex/ gender-neutral facilities also removes the discrimination that commonly exists where there are fewer toilet facilities for women and girls. Sexual harassment is of course something that no one wants, and schools should ensure that there are useful and effective safe spaces for girls and women. We should also promote a culture of respect in which there is no toleration of any form of discrimination, harassment or bullying of anyone.

Alison Orr & Gavin McColl (co-conveners, Dundee and Angus branch, Scottish Green Party).

Glebe Road, Arbroath.