MEN MUST PLAY their part in ending gender-based violence as attitudes have changed greatly over the years.
That was the view given by John Finnie MSP, the Scottish Greens spokesman on Justice and representative for Highlands, Islands and Moray.
Mr Finnie was speaking in a parliamentary debate this week where he noted there was now more focus on subjects which people may have shied away from in the past – including female genitial mutilation and human trafficking.
Mr Finnie said: “It is incumbent on men to challenge attitudes and assumptions which reinforce many of the behaviours associated with violence against women. I welcome the publication of the Scottish Government’s action plan which I hope will go some way toward addressing these underlying attitudes.
“Clearly there have been changes in attitudes around domestic abuse in recent years which has to be welcome.
“One example is the approach taken by our police service, which is markedly different from the tactics used 20 or 30 years ago. However, we still have a long road to travel if we are to end gender based violence in Scotland.”