MSPs must change what goes on in the minds of the "male species" to address violence against women, according to welfare minister Margaret Burgess.

Ms Burgess praised male MSPs for continuing to highlight the disproportionate role of men as perpetrators of domestic violence.

She welcomed comments by former minister Stewart Stevenson, who said male violence against women continues "to the very great shame of the men" in Holyrood.

Labour justice spokeswoman Elaine Murray said she would be surprised if there was a single woman in Holyrood that has not been the victim of sexual harassment, unwanted or unwelcome sexual advances, or physical contact or comments.

She urged women not to seek redress by adopting sexist practices against men, insisting drunken women attacking men in kilts is "not funny".

MSPs debated its approach to gender-based violence on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

Mr Stevenson said: "To the very great shame of the men here, and throughout Scotland of course, it's not just that women are disproportionately the victims but that men are disproportionately, overwhelmingly, the perpetrators of violence.

"We have to change what goes on in men's minds as well as to protect women."

Ms Burgess said: "I would absolutely agree with what the member says.

"I think, in many ways, this parliament can show an example by the number of men who are highlighting that very fact - that the male species is the main perpetrator of violence against women and girls.

"So, I think that is a recognition and something that we have to deal with as well in terms of changing attitudes."

Ms Murray said: "I would very surprised if any woman in this building has not at some time been the victim of sexual harassment, unwanted or unwelcome sexual advances, or physical contact or comments.

"We all recognise those feelings of embarrassment and shame, the reluctance to make a fuss in case we are over-reacting.

"Was it just a laugh and do we have no sense of humour?

"The suspicion that we brought it upon ourselves because of the way that we dressed, or because we smiled, or that we were too friendly.

"Did we appear, indeed, to be asking for it?

"This morning we heard from victims of domestic abuse and much of what they were saying was that somehow they felt partially responsible for what happened to them.

"I'm sure that none of us want our daughters, nieces, granddaughters, to have that same experience."

She added: "Women adopting sexist practices towards men is no part of the answer.

"I was quite disgusted to hear on the radio recently about a hotel in the Highlands where male staff were objecting to wearing kilts because they were being sexually assaulted by women.

"Drunk women attacking young men is not funny either."

Conservative education spokeswoman Mary Scanlon called for resources to be targeted to the areas where violence against women is most prevalent.

"Dundee City has 700 incidents per 100,000 above the Scottish incidents," she said.

"Will you be looking at why the incidence is so much greater in some areas than others and perhaps assist with resources there?"

Mr Burgess said: "That is certainly something that we will be looking at.

"We need to establish the incidents over the country, and then where it is happening in the country, and then that is how we look at resources and targeting."

Conservative MSP Nanette Milne cited a recent Girlguiding attitudes survey which found that only 40% of girls and young women aged 13 to 21 agreed that society could be changed to be free from violence against women and girls in the future.

She said: "I think that is a sad indictment that violence in all its manifestations has become normalised in our society and it falls to us to reverse this worrying trend."