Page 21 - WMPF Federation June-July 2021_Neat

The panel
members with
Ian Collins
bottom right.

Understanding

misogyny in policing

okes about gender are as unacceptable time for childcare purposes often faced from South Wales Police delivered a
as those about race and sexuality, the discrimination. presentation on gender discrimination in the
Jannual Police Federation conference was The mother-of-five said: “When it workplace which revealed as many as 90 per
told. happened to me, I was still the same person, cent of female officers in Wales said they had
The pervasive nature of misogyny came with the same abilities to offer the Force. The experienced sexual harassment at work.
under the spotlight in a session hosted by only difference was, I was part-time.” experience this harassment, they don’t want
Mark said: “When we talk to people who
of abusive social media messages she and “ It isn’t about not things to escalate, they don’t want a big,
the Federation’s self-organised national
women’s group.
Members heard how female officers

formal process, they just want the behaviour
still faced discrimination at work with
to stop.
having fun. Having
group chair Zoë Wakefield giving examples

“They just want respect, a good attitude,
others had received. a laugh is important and to be treated professionally.”
Zoë told the session that women often
received negative comments from male for de-stressing but Our rep’s views
colleagues about their fitness for the job.
National Police Chiefs’ Council gender it shouldn’t come at
lead and Derbyshire Chief Constable Rachel “It would be helpful if forces and PSDs
Swann said misogynistic comments were someone else’s actually took reports of sexual
too often dismissed as ‘banter’ which was no harassment and sexual assault in the
longer acceptable. expense. workplace seriously and dealt with
She said: “It isn’t about not having fun. “ cases robustly rather than seeking to
Having a laugh is important for de-stressing minimise, downplay or even victimise
but it shouldn’t come at someone else’s the victim as part of their investigation.
expense. Federation national wellbeing secretary This might give female police officers
“We’ve made other kinds of banter Belinda Goodwin told the session: “You still greater confidence in the workplace.
around sexuality and race off limits, but it get eye rolls when you talk about ‘female’ Currently there seems to be too much
still seems gender is OK to joke about.” issues. of a focus in my opinion, on getting the
Sue Honeywill, a Devon and Cornwall “It’s just about creating change and language right.”
sergeant, branch vice-chair and member bringing barriers down so we can discuss Steve Grange, West Midlands Police
of the national women’s group, suggested things properly.” Federation secretary.
female officers who opted to work part- Assistant Chief Constable Mark Travis

www.polfed.org/westmids federation June/July 2021 21