07.12.2017
Holyrood’s Standards Committee has issued a call for views on its inquiry into sexual harassment and inappropriate conduct.
The inquiry will examine the rules governing the reporting, investigation and sanctioning of MSPs with regard to harassment at the Scottish Parliament.
Clare Haughey MSP, convener of the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments (SPPA) Committee said:
“It’s vital that everyone inside and outwith Holyrood has confidence in our procedures and code of conduct.
“To inform our inquiry, we want to hear people’s views on whether our reporting and investigation process is fit for purpose and whether the sanctions at Parliament’s disposal are appropriate.”
The Committee is seeking views on the following:
- What are the key principles and essential elements of a reporting, investigation and sanctions framework for use by the Scottish Parliament to deal with sexual harassment and inappropriate conduct that would inspire confidence in those engaging with the process and the public in general?
- What features of reporting and investigation frameworks can act as barriers to reporting and a lack of action on undesirable behaviours? Please provide examples.
- How can positive changes to workplace culture be achieved that lessen the prevalence of sexual harassment? What examples of best practice are there from which the Scottish Parliament could learn?
- Do you have any comments on how effective and clear the current arrangements are in the Scottish Parliament for reporting sexual harassment? Do you have any suggestions for changes to improve the current rules and procedures?
The deadline is Friday 26 January.
Full details on the call for evidence and the inquiry remit can be found on the SPPA Committee’s webpage here.