It will take much more than a Hate Crime Bill to eradicate misogyny

Simplistically supposing that inserting the word “sex” in the long-debated Hate Crime Bill would have solved fundamental aspects of a deep-rooted problem in our society not only ignores the fact that the passing of the bill affording greater protections to minorities would probably have been delayed even longer, if it had passed at all, but also would likely have delayed the day when women in Scotland feel they can walk alone at night without fear of sexual harassment or attack.

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Misogyny blights all men. Regrettably, even with urgent government focus, comprehensive legislation, appropriate policing measures and determined prosecution services, significant change will not come quickly. In the meantime men can make a positive start in the process of tackling harassment of women by not only always being thoroughly respectful themselves but also by being sufficiently brave to call out all instances, no matter how subtle, where other men are seen to hassle, intimidate, denigrate or exploit women, even when the perpetrator is their boss.

Stan Grodynski
Longniddry, East Lothian

THE claim that 52% of Scotland’s population have been hung out to dry (sober or otherwise), being made more open to rape and assault by the other 48% of the population (sober or otherwise), by this pro-EU SNP government is one of the wildest assertions I have come across outside of the UK state media, the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, and the European Research Group.

It is indeed a sobering thought that this SNP government has been prepared to place indyref2 and EUref (Scotland) at potentially some greater but undefined risk, in order to pursue a policy of calling out sexual harassment in the workplace, and an even more sobering thought is that it is potentially a work very much in progress.

The National can perhaps be commended for portraying 52% of the population fairly well, focusing upon their views and not their comparative physical attributes. Other UK state media titles can often dwell on such matters, even drawing particular attention to how very well-fitting the clothes are around said physical attributes etc.

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Contrary to some claims, the rape and assault of 52% of Scotland’s population will not immediately cease or even reduce if the Hate Crime Bill is scrapped. The problem is simply so much bigger and requires a wide and deep change in a societal context, across all ages, and across the whole population.

The symptoms of a society beset by such problems must still be addressed, yet the underlying contexts require to be both accepted by at least the vast majority of the population, and the potential incremental contextual remedies required must also be accepted.

Hate, anger, power, alcohol, hormones etc all play their part in the battle with self-respect and mutual respect, in the wider context.

Do I see improvement happening fast enough? No. Do I see it happening under a UK Government? No. Can the problem be improved with better, wider sex education at school and more emphasis on respect for all? Yes. Can the situation be improved by having more sober people out at night with more well-lit areas? Probably. Can the situation be improved by greater equality/esteem at work, beyond equal pay? Quite likely.

A fair and inclusive society necessarily does not hang out to dry 52% of the population, nor to be honest pick an arbitrary percentage to hang out to dry. The balance must be found between mutual respect, self-respect, and managed respect, which in reality, for the people of Scotland, inevitably requires Scotland to become an independent EU nation state.

Stephen Tingle
Greater Glasgow

ONE of your correspondents yesterday stated that she was an SNP supporter but because of something that the local candidate has said, she will be voting for another party. I expect there are many claiming to be supporters who disagree with some SNP policies or have taken offence at something that a member/supporter has said or done. However, if we all take the huff at every real or perceived offence, the chances of gaining independence will diminish exponentially. We must vote SNP 1&2, gently holding our noses if necessary, and indulge ourselves after the prize has been won. If we don’t get it this time, it will be lost for much more than a generation. Tories blue, red and yellow, please note: that last sentence is a personal opinion and is not to be taken as an official statement.

Jim Clark
via email

I HUTCHISON of East Kilbride was outraged by the suggestions that all males should stay at home after 6pm. I hope she was equally outraged by suggestions that to be “safe” women should be home before dark, should text someone before getting into a taxi, should hold their keys in their hand while walking home, should not go out on their own? I suspect Hannah Bardell was pointing out that the “advice” given to women is in fact placing the blame on the victims and not where it belongs – with the perpetrator.

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No-one is suggesting that all males will be guilty, but the fact remains that assaults on women are made by men. If Mrs Hutchison can identify which men will, I’m sure we would all be grateful. May I respectfully suggest that we have a representative democracy, we won’t always agree with all party policies or their representatives, but we will vote for what most represents our views. Either you want to live in an independent, democratic country or you don’t. #Both votes SNP is still the best way to achieve that.

AD White
Carluke