Teachers in Scotland who have faced violence and rape threats from young boys have told how they are backing the government’s plans to bring in a Migogyny Bill.
Classroom staff in Glasgow and Aberdeen say their jobs are becoming “increasingly impossible” due to a rise in incel culture and the manosphere. They say that attitudes towards women and girls have shifted in recent years due to the influence of figures such as Andrew Tate, who promote misogynistic views and toxic gender roles.
They have spoken out about the sexist abuse they have received from young males in their schools as part of the Record’s Our Kids … Our Future campaign, which was launched three years ago to curb a youth violence epidemic.
View 3 ImagesThe Record’s Our Kids … Our Future campaign
One teacher in Glasgow, who wished not to be named over fears of repercussions over her job, told the Record: “Almost on a daily basis I will receive derogatory insults from young male pupils. Female colleagues and I have received rape threats and threats of violence.
“My job is becoming increasingly impossible due to the fact I am a women – some male pupils will not take instructions from me purely because I am female. If this rise in incel culture is not stamped out, I fear for the future of our next generation.”
Another teacher, who works in Aberdeen, who also wished to remain anonymous, said: “The shift in attitudes towards women in the schools over the last few years is terrifying. As a female staff member, misogynistic comments are made to me and female colleagues almost every day.
“We’re told to shut up and go home to the kitchen. I worry about female pupils who will grow up thinking this behaviour from their male peers is normal unless it is stamped out.”
First Minister John Swinney told MSPs that a Misogyny Bill would be brought forward to “outlaw misogynistic harassment and abuse in Scotland” in his opening statement ahead of the Scottish Parliament’s first debate following the Holyrood election. If passed, the bill would criminalise misogynistic conduct.
View 3 ImagesInfluencer Andrew Tate who promotes misogynistic attitudes and toxic gender roles(Image: Getty Images)
The move from Swinney comes after original plans for a Misogyny Bill were dropped last year as ministers cited “insufficient time” for the legislation to be brought forward.
The teacher from Glasgow said: “I wholly support a Misogyny Bill in Scotland, we are living in a terrifying era where these attitudes are becoming normalised. If the government is intent on stamping out misogyny as a whole, it must also do more to stop young people from accessing harmful content online.
“Algorithims are set up to constantly feed whatever topic it is you are interested in. Some young boys are not even getting a second to digest what they’ve just watched – each video and post will only continue to validate their views.
“Unless something is done, this problem will only manifest.”
The Aberdeen teacher added: “The rise of incel culture and manosphere online has contributed significantly to the crisis we have with misogyny in schools in recent years. In order to tackle these attitudes, we need to address the problem from where it’s stemming and that is on social media.
“The government must do more to prevent young people from accessing damaging content online.”
Mike Corbett, national official for teaching union NASUWT in Scotland, said: “The government’s proposed Misogyny Bill is a step in the right direction. Teachers tell us that experiencing misogyny makes them feel humiliated, violated and demeaned. Criminalising misogyny will go some way to validating their distress, but they also urgently need resources and training to help them tackle this issue in schools.
“The government must now act swiftly to make sure women are safe from misogynistic abuse and discrimination. While accountability measures are welcome, we must also have measures for prevention. This means tackling the horrifying amount of misogynistic content available online to influence boys and men, and holding technology companies, media outlets and right-wing campaigners responsible for their role in the constant dissemination of this content.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The growth of misogynist online content is deeply worrying and completely unacceptable.
“That is why we intend to bring forward legislation to criminalise misogynistic harassment and abuse as part of our efforts to tackle violence against women and girls.”
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