Nicola Sturgeon ‘shocked and saddened’ by Holyrood sexual harassment survey
2 min read
Nicola Sturgeon has said she is “shocked and saddened” after a survey found one-fifth of Scottish parliament staff had experienced sexual harassment or sexist behaviour.
The anonymous research revealed 45% of sexual harassment came from an MSP, 40% said a member of Scottish Parliament staff was responsible, while 20% said it was down to an MSP’s staff member.
The probe came in light of the Westminster scandal towards the end of last year, which also found one in five people working at Westminster had experienced or witnessed sexual harassment or inappropriate behaviour in the past year.
The First Minister said it was a “disgrace” that 30% of women and 6% of men had experienced such behaviour.
“I am shocked, saddened and disappointed by these survey results and I welcome the apology from the presiding officer to all of those who have experienced harassment or sexism while working in our parliament," she said.
“It is clear that women and men - but mainly women - have put up with behaviour that is unacceptable.
Ms Sturgeon said everyone who works in the building should consider “how they use the power they hold and whether their behaviour lives up to the high standards that we should all expect”.
She added: “The fact women and men have experienced harassment or sexism in our parliament is a disgrace but we must seize this opportunity to change our society and culture for all and for good.”
Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard said the results were “shocking”, while his colleague and predecessor Kezia Dugdale said the survey “confirms that Holyrood is not immune to the problem” of harassment.
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