A Police Scotland campaign against sexual violence backed by Nicola Sturgeon has been divided opinion after some claimed it was ‘guilt-tripping’ men – while others called it a ‘powerful message.’

Don’t Be That Guy urges men not to be that guy and encourages them to examine their behaviour and gestures.

Police Scotland shared the video earlier in the week. Twitter alongside the caption: ‘Most guys don’t look in the mirror and see a problem. But it’s staring us in the face. Sexual violence begins long before you think it does.’

However some have criticised the video for ‘guilt tripping men’, with one person writing: ‘Do you really think the small minority of men who do this take notice of such videos or are these videos an excuse to dump on men in general and devalue their role in the greater scheme of things?’ 

Meanwhile others defended the video and suggested it was ‘a powerful message and so true’, with one commenting: ‘Most women have experienced at least one of these on a night out if not more.’

A Police Scotland campaign against sexual violence backed by Nicola Sturgeon has been criticised for 'guilt-tripping' men for calling women 'doll' and saying they look 'nice'

A Police Scotland campaign against sexual violence backed by Nicola Sturgeon has been criticised for ‘guilt-tripping’ men for calling women ‘doll’ and saying they look ‘nice’

During the clip, a series of male actors talk to the camera, asking: ‘Have you ever called a girl doll? Or whistled at her walking down the street?

‘Ever stared at a woman on the bus or said to a mate, I’d do that?

‘You ever give a girl a compliment, like, “Nice”, and wondered why you didn’t get a thankyou?’

The script continued: ‘Ever slid into a girl’s DM and went ahead and just showed her it?

The Don't Be That Guy initiative urges men to look at their own behaviour and gestures which some might dismiss as innocent and make changes, like 'staring at a girl on the bus' or 'whistling at her in the street'

The Don’t Be That Guy initiative urges men to look at their own behaviour and gestures which some might dismiss as innocent and make changes, like ‘staring at a girl on the bus’ or ‘whistling at her in the street’

‘Ever bought a lassie dinner and thought that meant she owed you something?

‘Ever got her three shots in a row, hoping that you’d get a shot of her? Then what…bundled her wasted into a taxi, and took her back to yours?

‘Ever guilt-tripped her, or pressure her, or pushed her into it, and then left, feeling like a man?  

‘Most guys don’t look in the mirror and see a problem, but it’s staring us in the face. 

Many have criticised the video, suggesting it was 'guilt-tripping' men, with some even brand the ad 'sexist'

Many have criticised the video, suggesting it was ‘guilt-tripping’ men, with some even brand the ad ‘sexist’

‘Sexual violence begins long before you think it does. Don’t be that guy.’

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has backed the campaign, reposting it in a tweet and commenting: ‘This new campaign from Police Scotland is powerful and important.

‘I’d ask all men to watch this film – and then encourage your sons, fathers, brothers and friends to do likewise.’

However the campaign has been met with criticism, with some suggesting it is ‘guilt-tripping’ men. 

The video was shared by Police Scotland earlier this week alongside the caption: 'Most guys don't look in the mirror and see a problem. But it's staring us in the face. Sexual violence begins long before you think it does.'

The video was shared by Police Scotland earlier this week The caption reads: “Most men don’t look in a mirror and see a problem.” But it’s right in front. It begins before you even realize it.

One person wrote: “This video made my feel guilty even though it’s something I’ve never done.” What can I do?

Another commenter said, “Irony at it’s best.” Talk about guilt-tripping like it’s not the main point of this clip. I felt guilty, and I would never do this in my own life.

“No compliments, drinks or looking after drunk girls,” another added.

A fourth wrote: “Don’t be afraid, I won’t talk with women, won’t ask for them for a dating, won’t treat their to dinner or any other things mentoned.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has backed the campaign, reposting it in a tweet and commenting that it is 'powerful and important'

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon supported the campaign, reposting it on Twitter and commenting that it was ‘powerful’ and ‘important’

Scotland's First Minister asked 'all men' to watch the film and 'encourage sons, fathers, brothers and friends' to do the same

Scotland’s First Minister requested that ‘all men’ watch the film, and encouraged sons, fathers and brothers to do the same. 

I will pay for sex. Let’s have a one-hour “date”, then talk a bit and then we can go home.

It’s easier to believe that it doesn’t matter what you do, it is wrong. 

Nicola was joined by others to support the campaign. One of them wrote: ‘This message is so powerful and so true. Most women have at most one of these on a night-out, if they don’t already. 

“Times must change, and we need to shift attitudes to ensure the safety of future generations.”

Another wrote, “The whole point of this advertisement is to point that sometimes what you think are OK is actually not OK.” 

However others joined Nicola in backing the campaign, with one writing that it was a 'powerful message'

Others joined Nicola in backing this campaign, with one writing that it was a powerful message’ 

“But women won’t speak up because it’s scary. We are taught to laugh at it or to tell a little white lies to get away. It is a chance to reflect.

A third person added: “This is a very powerful clip. My age and men like me need to speak out against sexual violence against women and girls. 

“Good job for this video focusing 100% on men, because men are the reason for all this violence. Bravo to everyone involved.

The campaign is taking place amid a national row over women’s safety following the murders of Sabina Nessa and Miss Everard. Thousands of people have shared their experiences of feeling unsafe in parks, streets, and other public areas of Britain. 

Couzens, 48, murdered Miss Everard, 33, after using Covid powers to stage a fake arrest and kidnap the marketing executive as she walked along a street in Clapham in March. The Old Bailey handed the disgraced officer a life sentence last week.

Students plan to boycott nightclubs next Wednesday as part of nationwide protests called Girls Night In. This is a call for more than 30 universities to boycott clubs to make venues more safe.

It was in response to an increase in drinks being’spiked’, and a disturbing trend in which girls are being unknowingly injected drugs.