One fifth of Holyrood staff suffer sexual harassment

● Apology issued after survery ● Sturgeon says men must change

Hundreds of workers at the Scottish Parliament say they have suffered sexual harassment, a confidential survey of staff has found.

Holyrood Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh has apologised and pledged to take action over the findings.

Nicola Sturgeon says the revelations are a “disgrace” and called on men to change their behaviour.

Men are generally the perpetrators of “inappropriate behaviour” and tend to be in a position of authority over those experiencing it, according to the findings. The Parliament has published the results of the confidential survey which assessed the extent of the problem, including sexist behaviour, which was undertaken following reports of incidents last year.

More than 1,000 people including MSPS, their staff and Scottish Parliament staff took part in the survey.

While the majority of respondents (78 per cent) have never experienced sexual harassment or sexist behaviour, a fifth (20 per cent) have experienced such behaviour while working at the Parliament.

The survey found 30 per cent of women and 6 per cent of men reported experiencing this behaviour in some form.

Mr Macintosh said: “I am sorry that people have experienced this type of behaviour while working here. I am determined to address this.

“The party leaders and SPCB members have seen the results and all accept the report findings in full. All have reiterated their strong commitment to tackling these issues and to ensuring a zero tolerance approach is not simply a policy statement but is a daily reality for those who work here.

“With that in mind, the joint working group which was set up earlier this year has been considering the findings and has already started to identity the key strands of work it will take forward to address the issues raised by the report.

“Sadly, these issues are not unique to the Scottish Parliament. As an institution that reflects Scotland, Holyrood will inevitably reflect the inequality that exists in Scottish society. However, as the nation’s legislature, it is our duty to take a moral and political lead in tackling sexist behaviour and harassment.”

Victims had a lack of confidence in the reporting systems, the report indicates.

Ms Sturgeon said: “I am shocked, saddened and disappointed by these survey results.

“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.”

Treatment was also the same

0 More than 1,000 Holyrood staff, including MSPS, were questioned among MSPS, their staff and Parliament staff, the survey found.

Labour MSP Kezia Dugdale, a member of the Parliaments’ Corporate Body added: “While these results are concerning, they are by no means surprising.

“We have known for many years that sexual harassment and sexist behaviour is present throughout our society. This survey confirms that Holyrood is not immune to the problem.”

Ms Dugdale said she was committed to “ensuring that the necessary steps are taken” by the Holyrood authorities to tackle the issues which have been uncovered.