Risk of misogyny among extremists

FAR-RIGHT GROUPS in the UK are increasingly promoting sexual violence against women, new analysis has revealed.

Researchers found that sexual assault and misogyny was a “prominent theme” on the messaging app Telegram, an online platform used by the far right. Pro-rape comments were “not uncommon” among the UK extreme right, a report from anti-racist organisation Hope Not Hate and the Antisemitism Policy Trust said.

“The online antisemitic far right is exploiting misogyny and anti-feminism in new ways and forging fresh connections, meaning this overlap is an increasingly pressing area of research,” the report said.

Experts analysed the movement of far-right figures, including Tor Gustafsson Brookes, also known as Catboy Kami, whose Telegram group has more than 10,000 members. The group has hosted numerous rape “jokes” and rape threats.

Researchers also examined 73 English-language antisemitic far-right Telegram channels and chat groups, which found that misogynistic content was “prevalent”. Misogynistic keywords were found in more than 85,000 posts, with the word “rape” among the most common.

Many posts referred to the sexual assault of white women and children by minority ethnic groups.

The research was released shortly after the murder of schoolteacher Sabina Nessa.

Earlier this year, marketing executive Sarah Everard was murdered by a police officer in south London.

The case sparked widespread debate about the safety of women and gendered violence in the UK.