Backing for hate crime legislation review

TAYSIDE women’s charities have backed proposals to criminalise acts of misogyny in Scotland.

A high-level hate crime review panel is considering submissions by campaign groups Rape Crisis Scotland and Engender, who feel Scots law does not adequately deal with sexist abuse. The Scottish Government-commissioned panel, led by Lord Bracadale, will consider introducing new laws to help tackle the behaviour as part of a review of hate crime legislation.

Mary Miller, manager of Dundee Women’s Aid, said the charity “wholeheartedly” agreed with the proposals put forward and said it is time to send the message that misogyny is “totally unacceptable”.

She said: “We won’t stop violence against women until we beat inequality. We need to get the message across to young girls that we don’t have to accept this and to young men that you don’t have to behave this way.”

Caroline McKenna, of Dundee International Women’s Centre, said: “I think in some communities there can be a perception that it’s the norm, but this kind of legislation could really help show that it isn’t acceptable.”

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “Lord Bracadale’s review will consider whether new categories of hate crime should be created for characteristics such as age and gender, which are not currently covered.”