Legislative response to crimes motivated by gender should cover women only, say women’s groups
Reading time: 2 minutes
Humza Yousaf
A review of a consultation on hate crime found no consensus on whether the legislative response to crimes motivated by gender should cover women only, although organisations with expertise in women’s issues believe the focus should be on women only.
An analysis of responses to the Scottish government’s consultation on amending hate crime legislation has been published.
A total of 1,159 responses were received with 108 coming from organisations (third sector bodies, public sector and partnership bodies, faith groups and other organisations) and 1,051 from individuals.
In general, organisations supported a legislative response to the issue of crimes motivated by gender prejudice or misogyny.
Organisations were also more likely to favour a statutory aggravation for gender hostility rather than a standalone offence for misogynistic harassment.
However, third sector bodies with expertise in women’s issues generally favoured the latter, and other respondents often deferred to the views of such organisations.
There was no consensus on whether any new law should cover women only, or women and men – although organisations with expertise in women’s issues thought the focus should be on women only.
A substantial proportion of respondents had concerns about the impact of hate crime laws on freedom of speech and religious expression, and about laws designed to protect specific groups.
Many called for the repeal of hate crime laws or, at least, did not want such laws to be extended. These views shaped their responses to the consultation.
Other respondents saw hate crime laws as important in protecting vulnerable groups, and sending out a message about the unacceptability of prejudice-based conduct.
Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “We will consider all consultation responses as we continue to develop our consolidated hate crime legislation to be put before Holyrood during the current parliamentary period.
“We want to modernise and simplify the current law to ensure the right balance between freedom of speech, religious expression and sufficient protection for those who face unacceptable discrimination in our society.
“We all have a role to play in creating the inclusive and forward-thinking society we want to live in where hatred will not be tolerated.”
Share this article:
Subscribe to our newsletter to not miss articles like this one:
SUBSCRIBE
