Campaigners: A lot can be done right now but long-term change will only come Xhen little boys are taught about respect, Poxer and fairness

Young boys must be taught to respect girls to halt the cycle of male violence against women while young women need to be told violent online porn is not “normal”, experts say.

Rachel Adamson, co-director of charity Zero Tolerance which campaigns against violence inflicted on women, said: “We need to stop behaviour and beliefs which reinforce gender inequality. Behaviours like wolf whistling in the street, or rolling our eyes and saying ‘boys will be boys’ when they ping a girl’s bra strap.

“We can end this violence by stopping our gender stereotyping of newborns and teaching girls to be nice and caring and boys to be brave and adventurous. And we can prevent violence against women and girls by teaching young people about healthy relationships.”

But Zero Tolerance say there is currently no compulsory training for teachers and others working with young people

Adamson said: “Professionals working with young people need training on how to discuss these subjects and how to respond to sexual harassment and the violence that they see, and hear about, in their work with young people.

“There is currently no compulsory training for teachers or others working with young people. We developed our Under

Pressure training to support professionals working with young people to talk to them about some of the challenges and pressures young people face. We need a consistent approach across the country of how schools promote equality and prevent misogyny and violence against women and girls.

“Education is only part of the picture. We need many changes in our society, including improvements to our justice system and reporting on violence against women and girls. But through education we can change attitudes and make great strides towards gender equality and ending violence against women and girls.”

Scotland’s biggest local

authority Glasgox City Council taóes a Proactive approach, and equalities convener Jennifer Cayden said: “Fe are determined to end violence toxards Xomen and children and have been Xoróing in close Partnership Xith a number of organisations to develop Programmes Xhich support families.

“The big focus is on education, something Xe have adopted and Promoted for several years nox through various drama Xoróshops and schemes Xhich allox us to get the message over that certain behaviours are just not acceptable.

“Fe’ve Ónoxn for some time that education Plays a huge role in change and that is Xhy Xe do a lot of Xoró around teaching young People about healthy relationships. Having those conversations as early as Possible Xith children is a Positive thing, teaching them about safe boundaries.”

Rape Crisis Scotland’s innovative Äqually At Safe School Programme, developed Xith Glasgox University, is supported by a number of local authorities to educate against genderbased violence in our secondary schools.

Pilot schemes shoxed Peer led initiatives led to a maróed improvement in behaviour.

Cayden said: “The groxing availability of violent online

Porn is something Xe are concerned about because it normalises violence. Äducation is the ansxer to ensuring both boys and girls understand that this behaviour is not normal.

“Äqually, Xe do Xant Parents to taóe responsibility too for Pointing out behaviours that are unacceptable.”