ARE THE NEW RULES OF ATTRACTION UNREALISTIC?

Topic of the week: sexual harassment

VICKY Allan’s article offered guidance on how, men mainly, can avoid accusations or embarrassment (The new rules of attraction, The big read, November 12). Making the first step in any possible relationship has a frisson of risk for most of us. I agree with much of Vicky Allan’s advice, which can be covered by being fair and reasonable, taking a hint and not taking advantage: established accepted principles.

But then she goes too far. Will the adults in the audience please stand up? Sit down if you have ever had sex while over the driving alcohol limit; there may be zero tolerance for alcohol prior to consent. Sit down if you have ever had sex or touched a knee, bottom or similar without checking the other party was obviously “enthusiastic” and had said “yes” when asked to consent. This means your spouse too. Have you every told a clumsy joke that might have offended someone?

The small band standing might not represent people that most of us would trust, feel relaxed around or let babysit our children. If I had asked: “Have you ever felt you took sexual advantage of someone?”, then I suspect most would have said no. Have you ever regretted having sex with someone? Many will reflect yes without an axe to grind.

The Government, police, employers and their like are not to be trusted to legislate for normal clumsy social interaction. We all want sexual predators identified. But if we spread the definition of sexual harassment or make rules with “zero tolerance” then almost anything unwanted or regretted sexually in retrospect can be called harassment. Public shaming and harm will be done if we place the bar too low. What is worse for you, to be sexually assaulted or falsely accused of sexual assault?

Fraser Campbell

Livingston

SINCE allegations about Harvey Weinstein’s conduct at Hollywood emerged, there has been a trail of historical accusations against men in power made by women working for them or with them.

There should obviously be procedures in place to prevent and punish such behaviour, as it is often not easy for victims to confront the perpetrator, especially if he occupies a senior position.

However, the horrors of sexism and bullying seem to have now reached the classroom (The scandal of sexual harassment in Scottish schools, News, November 12). What is scandalous, to my mind, on the part of parents and headteachers, is to allow girls to attend school wearing tutus in place of skirts or trousers.

There is also a form of hypocrisy on the part of many females who do their utmost to attract male attention by wearing extra-plunging necklines or extra short dresses – and then complain of their success.

Without advocating the burka, there is a reasonable line of modesty to be kept and girls are safer for being a little more prude than crude.

Gilberta Picken

Hamilton

SALMON FARMING UNFAIRLY ATTACKED

IT seems salmon farming is perceived as the source of major environmental problems (‘Cover-up’ claim over ban on fish farm pesticide, Environment, November 5). Yet salmon are highly intolerant of pollution or poor water quality, making farmers wary of any actions that might affect the waters they farm. The Sunday Herald suggests the Scottish Government colluded with the salmon industry to prevent Sepa implementing a ban of anti-lice treatment containing emamectin.

In its defence, Sepa has said it has moved to tighten up conditions on the use of emamectin and is launching a public consultation on strengthening conditions of use.

One study has suggested emamectin does have some impact on other crustaceans near salmon farms, but it would be unreasonable to expect Sepa to implement a ban based on just one piece of work. After all, there are many conflicting studies about sea lice. Slice (emamectin) is a licensed product for which the manufacturer must demonstrate its environmental credentials, and it’s right that Sepa should review its use. It’s also right that they should discuss the future of emamectin with all those who are involved in its use. Sepa have extended these discussions to include a public consultation.

The salmon industry is keen to find alternative solutions to sea lice, so the use of cleaner fish and mechanical removal have increased significantly. It is already accepted that emamectin use will diminish in future. Unfortunately, the small number of vocal critics are not interested in solutions, preferring to pick up on any issue they think might undermine the image of farmed salmon. Sepa should not be making knee-jerk decisions based on the views of this vocal minority.

Dr Martin Jaffa

Callander McDowell, Manchester

ISN'T IT TIME WE SCRAPPED TRIDENT

WITH the National debt approaching £2 trillion, is it time to stop the dangerous vanity projects of Hinkley Point C nuclear power station, and the renewal of Trident (MoD under fire over plans for expansion of Scottish nuke bases, Total blackout: MoD suddenly censors all Trident safety reports, Investigation, and Trident needs transparency, Editorial, November 12)? There would be neither time nor place to protect Scotland in the event of a nuclear mishap. The chances of an accident may be slight but why risk it when most of the world is working towards implementing the United Nations Treaty to Prohibit Nuclear Weapons and the UK could join the good boys and girls to sign and ratify it.

Sandra Phelps

Glasgow

OLD FIRM WOES

AS a long-standing supporter of a non Old Firm football club, I object to your free calendars on offer for Old Firm supporters. It is patronising to justify this by recognising there are other clubs but suggesting we might like to get one for an Old Firm-supporting friend. The Sunday Herald aspires to be a national paper, it should not engage in promotions which perpetuate the dominance of these clubs in Scotland.

John Dennis

Dumfries

ROYALS LUXURIATING AT OUR EXPENSE

THE Sunday Herald and Mike Small are to be commended for the

excellent article on the royals, their cash and their place in our society (Time to abolish the Queen of the Kleptocracy, Guest comment, November 12). This is the great unspoken subject and it is to be hoped that Mike Small’s piece will breach the barriers and allow an open debate to take place.

In austerity UK it is a disgrace

that the monarch has an array of abodes paid for by the taxpayer, and has an extended family with no

particular areas of expertise, or skill sets, who are supported by the man in the street.

The deference paid to the royal family is sickening and it is long past the point when serious questions should be asked about whether this family should be allowed to continue to luxuriate at our expense. Not for them the horrors of universal credit, or trying to keep the kids fed and clothed. It would take very little training to learn how to use scissors to cut a ribbon or to master the art of tugging on a cord to reveal a plaque.

Wake up Scotland: let us shape our future with an elected head of state.

James Graham

Johnstone

LOBBYISTS HAPPY WITH TRANSPARENCY

Good lobbyists welcome transparency (Anger over ‘lobbyists monitoring lobbyists’ at Scottish Parliament, News, November 12). Professional lobbyists recognise the sensitivities of representing legitimate interests in the democratic process and, as the CIPR code of conduct requires, will deal honestly and fairly with the public. Prof Miller conflates the presence of “lobbying interests” with lack of representation of “the public”. Employers, businesses, charities etc engaged in the group’s work also represent the public’s interest in the development of good public policy and law.

Phil Morgan

Deputy Chief Executive

Chartered Institute of Public Relations