Gov to consider adding misogyny to proposed hate crime law

Wednesday 13 November 2024

Misogyny could become a punishable offence under new hate crime legislation set to be debated next year.

The Government will consider including misogyny – defined as hatred or prejudice against women – within its upcoming hate crime legislation, the Minister for Justice and Home Affairs has revealed.

Deputy Mary Le Hegarat yesterday told States Members yesterday that the proposed law, which aims to protect various groups of people from hatred and prejudice, will be brought to the Assembly next year.

Pictured: Deputy Louise Doublet urged the Minister to consider instructing police to track crimes against women motivated by gender-based hatred. 

The Minister acknowledged there have been delays due to "unforeseen circumstances", and the need to prioritise other significant pieces of legislation.

When questioned by Deputy Louise Doublet about other interim actions the Government could take, Deputy Le Hegarat said she is "happy to speak to the States of Jersey police to see what we can do in the meantime" before the hate crime law is implemented.

Deputy Doublet also urged the Minister to consider instructing police to track crimes against women motivated by gender-based hatred. 

She also suggested that Government could take measures to combat "incel culture" – an online community of mostly young men who identify as 'involuntarily celibate', and often express hostility or hatred towards women.

Pictured: "Incel culture" stems from online communities of mostly young men who identify as 'involuntarily celibate'.

Responding, Deputy Le Hegarat said that she would look into whether misogyny should be considered as a standalone issue or as part of the broader hate crime legislation. 

"I think misogyny should be considered as part of legislation," she indicated.

In England and Wales, an offence can be prosecuted as a hate crime if the offender has demonstrated hostility, or been motivated by hostility, based on race, religion, disability, sexual orientation and/or transgender identity. This categorisation can lead to higher sentences.

But the UK government rejected a House of Lords amendment in 2022 that would have recognised misogyny as a hate crime.

Earlier this year, the UK Home Secretary ordered a review of the country's counter-extremism strategy to explore how best to tackle the threat posed by "extreme misogyny".

Pictured: Deputy Mary Le Hegarat is the Minister for Justice and Home Affairs.