Summit highlights abuse targeted at girls in school
A CAMPAIGNING MSP calling for action to end violence against girls in schools led a powerful summit in Inverclyde.
Labour’s Katy Clark brought together local teachers, pupils, charities and councillors to the Beacon Arts Centre in Greenock to talk about the impact of misogyny, sexism and sexual harassment in the classroom.
They were joined by Fiona Drouet, who set up her own charity to take a stand against gender-based violence after her daughter, who was an Aberdeen University student, tragically took her own life.
In an emotional and frank session, many individuals spoke up about their fears following revelations that nearly two-thirds of girls in schools have experienced some form of harassment.
Afterwards Ms Clark said: “In my former life, I was a criminal lawyer and when I learn about what goes on and the behaviour young girls are subjected to, I think we first of all need to call it out for what it is,
it is a criminal offence.
“In any other walk of life some of the experiences of young girls, it would be a criminal matter. It shouldn’t be different because it happens in schools. We have to start from that basis.”
She added: “I thought it was a very worthwhile summit in Inverclyde, very successful and brought together many voices from all the political parties.
“It was very emotional as people shared their own experiences and I am glad they felt comfortable to do that.
“It is something I feel very passionate about and so do so many others. It is a massive problem and we need to take action. It starts early, with education. We need girls and boys involved.
“It was very encouraging to see so many people there who felt so strongly, like I do.”
“I have been doing sessions like this across the country and decided to bring the public consultation on violence against girls in schools to Inverclyde.
“There is still a serious lack of understanding about the extent and nature of violence, harassment and abuse in schools and the increasing problem of sexist and misogynistic behaviour by boys towards girls and women staff.”
Bereaved Glasgow mum Fiona spoke about the death of her 18-year-old daughter Emily, who was a law student, back in 2016.
She took her own life after a sustained campaign of physical abuse from her on-off boyfriend.
At the summit, Fiona said: “My daughter was given no support or help from her university. Universities have a duty to protect their staff but not their students. That needs to change.”
Duncan Shaw, who founded Safe
Harbour, an Inverclyde charity which cares for people who have experienced extreme trauma, told the summit they witness the impact of the emotional and physical abuse of women and young girls every day.
He said: “Inverclyde has one of the highest number of cases of female suicides in the country.
“Since lockdown, almost 100 per cent of our cases are now female and 25 per cent of that is serious sexual assaults and 25 per cent of it is domestic abuse.
“In our seven or eight years we have had six suicides and it is six too many, they could have been prevented and we need to put the funding in to the right treatments.”
A number of local politicians were involved from across parties.
Labour’s Robert Moran hit out at the decision to change sentencing guidelines for under-25s convicted of crimes.
He added: “This sends out completely the wrong message, when you hear what is happening to people in this room and the experiences they have had.
“That needs to be changed, so that younger men don’t get softer sentences.”