South Ribble Borough Council has voted to lobby the government to officially class misogyny as a hate crime.
AdvertisementOn November 24, the council approved a notice of motion to lobby the government to officially class misogyny as a hate crime, and for it to be reported as such by all police forces in the UK.
This came after Mayor of South Ribble, Councillor Jane Bell marked White Ribbon Day on November 23 with a special flag raising ceremony at the Civic Centre in Leyland to raise awareness of the cause.
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Councillor Aniela Bylinski Gelder who proposed the notice of motion said, “Women and girls of South Ribble are suffering from misogyny, expressed in sexual harassment, domestic abuse and death.
“In Lancashire women suffer a higher-than-average rate of deaths – the femicide census ranks Lancashire as 11th highest in numbers for female killings in a list of 42 police forces in England and Wales.
“Currently, only 12 forces around the country record misogyny. Misogyny affects everyone, not just women.”
“The passing of this notice of motions sends a real message that we are prepared to do all we can to help support women across the brough and to do all we can to keep them safe.
“We hope that the Government take notice of our call to prepare legislation to make misogyny a hate crime and look to make real tangible efforts to stop violence against women at the hands of men.”
White Ribbon Day is marked around the world and is the largest global initiative to end male violence against women by calling on men to take action to make a difference.
South Ribble Borough Council is an Accredited White Ribbon organisation meaning they are committed to a three-year action plan to encourage others to sign the pledge and aim to work with local businesses, residents, and community groups to create a culture where violence will not be tolerated.
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Councillor Mick Titherington, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Leisure said, “As a Council we have supported the White Ribbon campaign for a number of years. Misogyny and violence against women at the hands of men MUST end.
“All men can make a difference by thinking of their own behaviour and being prepared to call out sexist and harassing behaviour when they see it.
“The White Ribbon campaign calls upon men to make the promise to never commit, excuse or remain silent about male violence against women. I have taken this promise, and hope others do too.”
People are invited to wear a White Ribbon and make the White Ribbon Promise to never commit, excuse or remain silent about male violence against women https://www.whiteribbon.org.uk/promise
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Do you think misogyny should be classed as a hate crime? Let us know in the comments below.