Image source, ANDREW COWAN / SCOTTISH PARLIAMEN

Equalities Minister Christina McKelvie welcomes the publication of a new sexual harassment policy aimed at stamping out sexist and inappropriate behaviour at Holyrood.

In 2018, a survey found that one in five parliamentary staff had experienced harassment or sexism.

This was part of a review launched amid the #MeToo movement and high-profile complaints at Holyrood and Westminster.

The new policy, external assets out a "zero tolerance approach" for the parliament in dealing with inappropriate actions.

Read more here.

Scottish Green co-convener Patrick Harvie agrees justice must be delivered for DeeAnn Fitzpatrick.

Moving onto misogyny in society as a whole, he highlights domestic abuse is used as a control tactic.

Harassment in the workplace is also a form of controlling behaviour, he adds.

Mr Harvie says he is open to the argument that misogynist hate crime should be a standalone crime.

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Hundreds of people have taken part in an anti-racism march and rally in Glasgow.

The Stand up to Racism (SUTR) event saw crowds gather in the city's George Square before a march through the streets.

A minute's silence was also held at 11:00 on 16 March 2019 to remember those killed in the New Zealand terror attacks.

Some of the crowd chanted "we stand with Christchurch". A number of SUTR rallies were held around the UK.

• Read more here
• Racism and Islamophobia 'getting worse in Scotland'

Image source, bbc

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Tory MSP Annie Wells begins by hoping there is the independent inquiry DeeAnn deserves.

Ms Wells moves on and calls for better understanding of BME experiences across the work market.

She welcomes the increase in discussion about women in and out of the workplace and adds these discussions must continue to bring about change.

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An employment tribunal ruled against a fisheries officer employed by Marine Scotland who claimed she was harassed by colleagues.

DeeAnn Fitzpatrick said she was targeted after complaining of a racist and misogynistic culture.

Ahead of the tribunal the 49-year-old alleged she was taped to a chair and gagged by colleagues in 2010.

This was not considered as it was said to have happened more than three years before the complaint was brought.

• 'I was petrified by gagging incident'
• Nicola Sturgeon 'horrified' by gagged worker photo
• Read more here

Labour MSP Rhoda Grant highlights the case of DeeAnn Fitzpatrick, who she says was harassed by colleagues at Marine Scotland after complaining about sexist, racist and misogynistic abuse.

DeeAnn is often forced to work alone with the senior officer who she complained about, Ms Grant tells the chamber.

Initially DeeAnn was supported by colleagues but after she became a whistleblower, this support stopped the Labour MSP states.

DeeAnn was constantly held to a different standard than others when it came to holidays, sick leave and other things to which was was entitled, says Ms Grant.

We need an independent inquiry into DeeAnn's treatment, it cannot be put off any longer the Labour MSP concludes.

Labour MSP Rhoda Grant will now lead a debate condemning misogyny, racism, harassment and sexism against women, especially in the working environment.

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Tory MSP Michelle Ballantyne agrees with the first minister that money should be targeted to those in need.

The first minister says when the update is brought forward in June all issues can be discussed and says it is the Tory government's cuts that have led to the increase in child poverty.

With that this week's first minister's questions comes to a slightly early close, leading to a short suspension.

The first minister reiterates her commitment to bring forward legislation on an income supplement.

Ms Smith welcomes this commitment and asks if the first minister has finally listened to Labour's call for a £5 top-up to child benefit.

"Jam tomorrow is no use when families don't even have bread today," she says.

The first minister agrees child poverty rates are far too high, but lower than the rest of the UK.

Ms Sturgeon points out Scotland is the only part of the UK to have statutory targets.

She says the government is doing the hard work to make this policy a reality.

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The number of children living in poverty will rise to 29% by 2023, the Resolution Foundation has warned, external.

Currently 23% of Scottish children live in households below the UK relative poverty line (better than the UK-wide figure of 30%).

The predicted increase is to occur despite the Scottish government setting a target to reduce child poverty to below 18% by 2023-24.

The report estimates this would leave over 100,000 more children living in poverty that if the target were met.

The Resolution Foundation suggests the new income supplement - planned for 2022- could help reduce child poverty but expresses concern that not enough is known about it yet.

Labour MSP Elaine Smith asks whether the government will bring forward legislation on an income supplement, in light of recent reports predicting an increase in child poverty.

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According to the Sunday Times..., external

"Social workers in Argyll and Bute, where six-year-old Alesha MacPhail was murdered, are defying government guidance on protecting the public from disturbed juveniles who display alarming sexual behaviour.

"Teenager Aaron Campbell was jailed for at least 27 years last week for the rape and murder of the child on Bute last year.

"Reports suggest his family was known to social services though officials insist they had no inkling he was capable of killing.

"But The Sunday Times has learned that they have not adopted guidance designed to prevent problematic teenagers from committing such terrible crimes."

The first minister says the care and risk management (CARM) framework was produced by the Scottish government with a range of practitioners and it is best practice.

But the decision about whether to adopt it is up to the local authorities, she states.

Mr Kerr says 15 councils have not adopted it, including Argyll & Bute Council where Alesha MacPhail was murdered.

He again calls for it to be mandatory.

Ms Sturgeon expresses her sincere condolences to the family of Alesha MacPhail.

She insists councils are monitoring the behaviour of children, just not necessarily using the care and risk management guidance.

Argyll & Bute Council has undertaken an initial case review following the death of Alesha.

Tory MSP Liam Kerr asks whether the Scottish government will make it mandatory for local authorities to adopt care and risk management practices, in light of reports that some councils are not monitoring children and young people who display harmful behaviour.