A MASSIVE 86% of female officers in Police Scotland have either experienced or witnessed misogyny within the force.
A new survey from the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) also found that the vast majority (81%) of officers think that racism and misogyny are problems for Police Scotland.
The SPA paper said colleagues often disguise or label sexist behaviour as “banter” and if someone challenges or calls it out, they are seen as not being able to take a joke and isolated from the team.
It also said a “boys’ club culture” exists in parts of the service where “the real team meetings happen on the golf course”.
It comes after Police Scotland Chief Constable Sir Iain Livingstone last week admitted the force “is institutionally racist and discriminatory”.
The new report contained the results of an anonymous online survey which got 528 responses.
Respondents described “having a target on your back” when raising issues and grievances, being labelled a “troublemaker” and “red-marked” during their careers.
Some expressed concerns about working conditions and a lack of support for flexible working plans and maternity and paternity leave.
Others described being overlooked for promotion due to maternity and told they had forfeited their policing career by having families.
The paper, for the SPA People Committee, said: “For some colleagues, they have been made to feel that if they have children, they will no longer be able to do their job.”
The report said there have been particular improvements since the early 2000s but there are still areas that need improvement.
It said: “Colleagues need to feel safe to call out behaviours and feel supported when they do. Leadership must be inclusive, visible and accountable across the service to inspire positive change.”
It said the force must “cultivate visible change to ensure that a zero-tolerance approach to sexism and misogyny is the reality”, adding: “This plays an essential part in fostering confidence in colleagues that if they raise an issue, this will be addressed in appropriate and supportive ways.”
Women who have worked in the police have previously spoken out about their experiences, and former armed response officer Rhona Malone last year won almost £1 million in compensation from the force after an employment tribunal ruled she was victimised while raising sexism concerns.
Last week, Livingstone said institutional racism, sexism, misogyny and discrimination exist but the admission “absolutely does not mean” all officers and staff are racist, sexist or homophobic.
He went on to say there is “no place” in Police Scotland for people who harbour prejudices and that the behaviour of colleagues who have been found to hold such views is “utterly condemned”.
It came as a separate report found “instances of ongoing discrimination against minoritised communities, including first-hand accounts of racism, sexism and homophobia” by serving officers.
Commenting on the new report, Assistant Chief Constable Emma Bond, lead on the delivery of action to tackle sexism and misogyny, said: “This was a crucial first step in understanding the extent of sexism and misogyny within our organisation.
“As the Chief Constable made clear, we know from independent reviews, court and conduct cases and from listening to our own officers and staff that people don’t always get the service or experience from Police Scotland that they need and deserve. The onus is on us to enable people to make their voices heard and take action to address their concerns.
“Hearing these experiences has been difficult and, in some instances, shocking but absolutely necessary.
“Women told us about everyday sexism: the banter, the boys’ clubs, being overlooked for promotion, treated dismissively, regardless of experience, grade or rank, because you are a woman, of being told having children meant your career was over.
“Men also told us of witnessing sexism and misogyny, feeling disempowered and unable to step in but also about their own experiences of sexism.
“However, people also told us they were seeing progress and change. Women leading at every level in policing, proactive steps to recruit more women and better support for flexible working.
“We are committed to building on this, to continue to listen, to change and become an inclusive, anti-discriminatory organisation that reflects, and influences, the communities we serve.”
