Police Scotland has recently launched the ‘ThatGuy’ campaign in an effort to encourage young men to intervene and talk to their friends if they notice them behaving inappropriately towards women. The campaign will be active for six weeks on social media platforms and will also include a podcast series. This initiative comes at a time when there has been an increase in the number of reported sexual offenses to the police.
Between April 1 and the end of September, Police Scotland received nearly 7,600 reports of sexual crimes, representing a 3.2% increase compared to the same period the previous year. Within these reports, there were 1,400 cases of reported rapes, indicating a 19.5% rise from the previous year. Additionally, 1,829 of these reported offenses, including 550 rapes, were alleged to have occurred more than a year ago, while the rest were related to the past 12 months.
Assistant Chief Constable (ACC) Steve Johnson, who leads major crime and public protection at Police Scotland, emphasized the importance of victims feeling confident to come forward and report incidents of sexual crimes. The aim is to enhance the response to such crimes and support victims who have been impacted by these devastating experiences.
The campaign aims to address behaviors that degrade, minimize, and brutalize women in an effort to prevent sexual crimes. It emphasizes the responsibility that men have in stopping sexual offenses before they occur. Through the use of the hashtag #DontBeThatGuy, the campaign encourages men to reflect on their attitudes and behaviors towards women and to engage in open conversations about male sexual entitlement.
The ‘ThatGuy’ campaign targets men aged 18 to 35, urging them to consider their past actions and whether they have overlooked inappropriate behaviors of their friends due to hesitancy in speaking up. The campaign is accessible on various platforms including YouTube, where a video is available for viewing. Additionally, there is a podcast hosted by Alistair Heather that explores topics related to sexual violence prevention and encourages men to make positive changes by speaking out.
Tips provided on the campaign’s website include engaging in self-reflection, finding the right time to address concerns with friends privately, and actively listening to women’s experiences. By speaking up and offering support to friends, individuals can contribute to creating a safer environment for women and reducing the incidence of sexual offenses. For more information, visit that-guy.co.uk.