About the Misogyny Hate Crime & The Research
Misogyny Hate Crime (MHC) has become part of the national agenda due to the pervasive “unacceptable and extremely distressing” treatment of women across the U.K. (Sue Fish, 2016). The issue is gaining attention within Greater Manchester (GM), as grassroots activists of Citizens UK are calling on the city’s Police Chief Commissioner, Ian Hopkins, to amend GM Hate Crime (HC) policy to include misogyny, as an aggravating factor for crimes against women.
A national review led by the Law Commission – under parliament – are reviewing all forms of ‘Hate Crime’, in order for improved legislation to be implemented: Information collated from responses to this survey will be provided to the Law Commission to highlight the extent of misogyny within Greater Manchester and why improved conditions must be implemented to positively change the everyday lived experience of women within the city. The Law Commission are keen to hear the stories, experiences and voices of women in Manchester and their experiences of misogyny in order to shed light on the existence and prevalence of the issue.
Misogynistic trends are undoubtedly visible within Manchester, with some men exerting violence or abuse due to the manifestation of misogyny as engrained and pervasive within society.
If successful, MHC intervention should be implemented with two key agendas, as:
- Preventative– to limit the escalation of misogynistic violence;
- Symbolic– to signpost that Mancunian institutions will not tolerate sexist behaviour.About the researcher
About the Researcher
I joined the campaign in September 2018 due to my own experiences of misogyny: I have, like so many other women, experienced misogyny on many levels. I have heard my friends telling me about being followed home, have walked down the street with my sister and had to stop someone from groping her, or even have my own rights to consent and respect, as a person, be ignored or not considered. We live in world where women fear for their safety to such a severe extent that they walk down the streets gripping their keys “just in case” something happens, or they stay over at a friend’s house after a night out “just in case” someone takes advantage of them or they run home alone “just in case” danger arises. We live in a world where the activities and behaviours of women are stifled and hindered out of fear of the actions of others, largely due to misogyny.
MisogynyISHate Manchester has given me the experience to meet so other amazing women and people who share the disgust and sadness for the sentiment I have just expressed: Just because women’s experiences are often this way, does not mean they should be, and that is the point of the campaign.
I truly believe that making misogyny a hate crime will be revolutionary and improve the everyday lives of so many women. It will show that, as a community, we stand in solidarity against sexual assault, violence and the misogyny which pervades our society and makes so many women feel unsafe, afraid and victimised.
Misogyny IS Hate, and it is time that our institutions recognise this.
If you would like to find out more or get involved with the campaign:
YouTube video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rW8jCOuuXWQ
Website – https://www.facebook.com/MisogynyIsHate/?modal=admin_todo_tour¬if_id=1538039084821870¬if_t=page_invite