HUMZA Yousaf’s announcement at the SNP conference of a new Victims Task Force is to be welcomed. Its aim, said the Justice Secretary, would be “better outcomes for all victims of crime”, including “specific actions to improve the experience of victims of rape and sexual assault”.
But what of those who don’t even get recognised as victims, whose experiences are not properly investigated by the police, and who are left with their confidence in the justice system shattered? The disturbing case of Caitie Mackay, a young student repeatedly stalked and harassed, is just one example that suggests Mr Yousaf’s task force will have its work cut out.
Not only did Caitie suffer these distressing incidents, she effectively had to track down the alleged perpetrator himself, only to see him immediately freed without charge and even described as a “welcome shopper” in the mall where much of the harassment took place.
That he might continue his behaviour, possibly against other women and to an even more disturbing degree – having effectively been given a green light – seems not to have bothered anyone in authority. At both a basic level of policing and a moral level of justice, this will not do, and if it’s typical of police – and indeed workplace – reaction to such crimes then Mr Yousaf has to start his task force’s work by bending some ears.
As matters stand, it isn’t government ministers effecting change but courageous young women speaking out. From accusations against senior officials in the United States to the shocking extent of harassment against schoolgirls across the UK – as we report today – society has a serious problem with the way females are too often treated.
No-one who heard Mr Yousaf yesterday could doubt his sincerity. In previous roles, he has developed a reputation for competence. But, as Caitie’s father, the Herald journalist Neil Mackay has said, “talk by the authorities is very cheap – it is only action that matters”.
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