Yahoo News ‘Don’t Be That Guy’: Police Scotland launches new campaign to tackle sexual violence
Police Scotland launched a new campaign video on Tuesday in a bid to tackle sexual violence against women.
The initiative called “Don’t Be That Guy”, urges men to “look in the mirror” and change their common behaviours which women find intimidating or threatening.
The video bears the caption: “Most guys don’t look in the mirror and see a problem. But it’s staring us in the face. Sexual violence begins long before you think it does.”
During the clip, a series of male actors talk to the camera and ask “have you ever whistled at a girl while she’s walking down the street” or “stared at her on a bus”.
The actors explain that gestures that some men may dismiss as innocent can form part of a broader pattern of damaging behaviour, from unwanted compliments to calling a girl “doll”.
Other actors in the clip ask: “You ever get her three shots in a row, hoping you’d get a shot of her?
“Then what? Bundled her wasted into a taxi, and took her back to yours?”
The video concludes: “Most guys don’t look in the mirror and see a problem, but it’s staring us in the face. Sexual violence begins long before you think it does. #DontBeThatGuy.”
The campaign comes amid growing concerns over sexual violence and misogyny in the UK, with activists branding the video as “timely”.
Last month, police officer Wayne Couzens was jailed for life over the kidnap, rape and murder of Sarah Everard, who he snatched off the streets of Clapham as she walked home during lockdown.
The Metropolitan Police faced criticism to their response to Couzens’ sentencing earlier this month after the force suggested that women who felt threatened by officers should “wave a bus down”.
Philip Allott, the Conservative police commissioner in North Yorkshire, also resigned after sparking fury for claiming that women need to be “streetwise”.
Activists welcomed the Don’t Be That Guy campaign’s emphasis on changing male behaviour.
Rape Crisis Scotland said: “Great to see a campaign from Police Scotland about sexual violence that puts the focus on the only people responsible: the perpetrators.
“Safety advice aimed at women won’t stop sexual violence, but changing men’s attitudes and behaviours can, so #DontBeThatGuy.”
Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, wrote on Twitter: “This new campaign from @PoliceScotland is powerful and important. I’d ask all men to watch this film - and then encourage your sons, fathers, brothers and friends to do likewise.”
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