Sexism and ageism set to become hate crimes
AGEISM and sexism will be made hate crimes under proposals in a Scottish Government review.
New laws will mean abusive behaviour on the grounds of age or gender would be treated the same as race, religion, disability or sexual orientation.
Retired judge Lord Bracadale, who led the review, said people should receive more severe sentences for crimes motivated by or involving hostility based on someone’s age or sex.
Ministers yesterday welcomed the review and pledged to bring forward hate crime legislation ‘fit for the 21st century’.
But critics said existing laws could be used for this purpose.
Lord Bracadale said hate crime legislation had a ‘symbolic’ function of sending a message to victims and offenders that it will ‘not be tolerated’.
But he said cracking a joke about someone’s age or gender would not necessarily land you in trouble, unless you had committed a criminal offence such as being abusive or threatening while doing it.
Scottish Tory justice spokesman Liam Kerr said: ‘No one would dispute the importance of protecting people from being targeted.
‘But there are existing laws in place which might achieve the same purpose with greater enforcement, awareness or promotion, which might make a difference or achieve the same goal.
‘Rather than looking at yet more legislation, people would prefer the SNP ensure our police have the tools to crack down on crime and make Scotland safer overall.’
Age is already treated as a ‘protected characteristic’ in Canada, New Zealand and parts of the US and Australia.
But groups including the City of Edinburgh Council, Faculty of Advocates, Law Society of Scotland and Glas- gow Bar Association pointed out that existing law is ‘robust enough’ to deal with offences committed because of the perceived vulnerability of the elderly. Lord Bracadale also recommended that a separate offence of ‘exploitation based on vulnerability’ should be introduced for the elderly.
Age Scotland chief executive Brian Sloan said: ‘Sadly, older
‘There are existing laws in place’ ‘Older people are often targeted’
people are often targeted by criminals because of their perceived vulnerability.
‘We welcome these recommendations and hope ministers will give them serious consideration.’
Lord Bracadale’s review rejected calls from some groups for Gaelic speakers and gipsy travellers to be made protected groups.
While the report only contains recommendations, the fact it was commissioned by the Scottish Government means it is likely to be enshrined in law.
Community Safety Minister Annabelle Ewing said: ‘I am grateful to Lord Bracadale and his team for such a thorough piece of work.
‘We agree Scotland’s hate crime laws should be consolidated into a single piece of legislation. The Scottish Government will use this report as a basis for wider consultation with communities and groups on how to bring forward new legislation that is fit for the 21st century.’