Campaign: Make Misogyny A Hate Crime
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What is the issue?
Violence against women and girls does not occur in a vacuum; hostility towards women and girls generates a culture in which violence and abuse is tolerated, excused and repeated. Changing that means challenging not only individual acts of abuse but the very roots of the culture which enables it. Gathering the evidence about the extent, nature and prevalence of hostility towards women and girls and how these interplay with the experience of domestic abuse is crucial to recognising these connections.
Classing misogyny as a category of hate crime would not make anything illegal if itâs not already. Instead, it would help to bring together the understanding of the forms of violence and abuse women and girls experience by ensuring all were recorded. It would mean police forces can better support victims, and make them aware of where incidents are reoccurring. Women and girls need to feel their concerns are being taken seriously by the police and that misogyny is not normalised.
In 2016 Nottinghamshire Police became the first police force in the country to enable women and girls to report cases of abuse and harassment as misogyny, this includes stalking, groping, indecent assault and kidnapping. Four other police forces have since followed suit.
What more can be done?
âAmendment 35â to the Domestic Abuse Bill â tabled by Labour MP Stella Creasy, Lib Dem Christine Jardine and Plaid Cymruâs Liz Saville Roberts â would require police to record offences which are explicitly motivated by misogyny as a hate crime. By requiring all police forces to do this and to assess how it influences the experience of domestic abuse, this amendment seeks to add to our understanding of the nature of violence against women and so the work on how to end it.
We are proud to join Citizens UK, Womenâs Aid, Refuge and other womenâs rights charities in backing this proposal. Now we need your help.
What can I do?
STEP 1: WRITE TO YOUR MP TODAY
Today or this weekend, you can write to your MP asking them to support the amendment. You can use our template below or write your own letter - adding your personal story can add a level of depth. While recounting a firsthand experience of misogyny can be incredibly difficult, it helps the MP be in touch with the reality of the issue and empirical evidence can help lead to direct change. The Domestic Abuse Bill will be returning to parliament on Monday 6th July for its final stages.
Dear <<MP name>>
My name is << insert name here>> and Iâm writing to you today to ask for your support in making misogyny a hate crime. Specifically, I urge you to support Amendment 35 to the Domestic Abuse Bill on its Third Reading in Parliament on Monday 6th July, and show your commitment to this vitally important step in requiring police to categorise offences motivated by misogyny as a hate crime - cementing the important link between domestic abuse and misogyny. Â
<<You can include your personal experiences here, and why the amendment is important for you>>
Misogyny has a devastating impact on women and girls. It is a root cause of multiple forms of abuse, violence and intimidation that can damage all aspects of women's lives, from their professional careers to personal wellbeing. It can ultimately prevent the full participation of women in our society.Â
Women and girls need to feel their concerns are being taken seriously by the police and that misogyny is not normalised. This amendment will pave the way for further interrogation of the influence of misogyny on incidences of domestic abuse and the nature of violence against women. It will lead to an increase in data gathering, provide a greater understanding of womenâs experiences of violence, and ultimately inform the need to stamp out misogyny and violence. I have attached a full briefing note for your reference.
Ensuring that all women everywhere can lead fulfilled and dignified lives in complete safety is vital. I urge you to to back this amendment and the inclusion of it in the Domestic Abuse Bill on Monday.
I look forward to receiving your response and hope to hear more about your views on this issue and voting intention.
Yours sincerely,
<<name>>
<<Full address including postcode>>
STEP 2: Spread the word and help #MakeMisogynyHistory
You can support the campaign on social media using the hashtag #Amd35 & #MakeMisogynyHistory. Today you can help by tweeting your support or messaging your friends and family asking them to support the campaign and write to their MP too!
Support the campaign on Twitter
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A word from our CEO
"The Jo Cox Foundation recognises the devastating impact misogyny has on women and girls. It's a root cause of so many forms of abuse, violence and intimidation that can damage all aspects of women's lives, from their professional careers to personal wellbeing. It can ultimately prevent the full participation of women in our society. We stand in support of this amendment and the inclusion of it within The Domestic Abuse Bill. This is a crucial opportunity to gain a fuller picture of the extent of misogyny in our society and a vital component of removing this barrier to women's participation."
Catherine Anderson,CEO, The Jo Cox Foundation
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Has your MP backed the amendment?
Here are the list of MPs who have co-signed Amendment 35:
Christine Jardine MP
Debbie Abrahams MP
Aspana Begum MP
Sarah Chammpion MP
Tonia Antoniazzi MP
Alex Davis Jones MP
Ruth Jones MP
Rosie Duffield MP
Andrew Gwynne MP
Kevin Brennan MP
Lillian Greenwood MP
Siobhan Mcdonagh MP
Julie Elliot MP
Paula Barker MP
Dan Jarvis MP
Liam Byrne MP
Geraint Davies MP
Chris Bryant MP
Clive Lewis MP
Diana Johnson MP
Caroline Lucas MP
Wera Hobhouse MP
Liz Saville Roberts MP
Ben Bradshaw MP
Claire Hanna MP
Margaret Hodge MP
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