To be recorded as hate crime
WEST YORKSHIRE POLICE WILL JOIN OTHER FORCES IN CHANGE
MISOGYNY and misandry will now be recorded as hate crimes in West Yorkshire, it has been revealed.
West Yorkshire Police will join a number of other forces across the country, in recording instances of misogyny – the dislike or prejudice against women.
Misandry is the dislike or prejudice against men.
This means that victims who feel they have been targeted and are asked by police, in relation to all of the protected characteristics covered by Hate Crime legislation, they will also be asked if they feel it was motivated by their sex.
It will be recorded by police if the victim confirms this is the case.
The Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, has welcomed the move and stated: “Misogynistic comments, in particular, have been normalised in society, often providing a platform for more serious offences.”
She said: “I said I would honour my promise to women and girls when it came to their safety, and I am delighted that West Yorkshire has now reached this important milestone.
“It may not currently be a crime and I know this is being reviewed by the Law Commission, but this is a significant step forward.
“No-one should be victimised for who they are and those who seek to discriminate in this way should realise that they are potentially committing a hate crime.
“Over the years, misogynistic comments in particular, have been normalised in society, often providing a platform for more serious offences.
“I also welcome the recording of misandry alongside misogyny, recognising that 750k men were subject to domestic abuse in the last year. This erosion of people’s safety cannot be allowed to continue, and we must confront it in all its forms.
“I am really glad that our conversations with the Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police have now led to this new approach.”
The pledge marks another milestone reached in realising the Mayor’s pledge to place the safety of women and girls at the heart of her policing and crime plan.
This move also comes at the same time as a ‘priority’ is created within the new Police and Crime Plan around diversity, equality, and inclusion.
The West Yorkshire Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Alison Lowe, said that a partnership approach with the Mayor’s Office and West Yorkshire Police had enabled the latest development to hate crime recording to happen. I want to thank West Yorkshire Police for working so positively with the Mayor to make her pledge a reality.
“Tracy and I were determined to get misogyny recognised and recorded as a hate crime and have made representations nationally to the Government.”
I am delighted that West Yorkshire has now reached this important milestone.