Greens pledge action to tackle misogyny and violence against women and girls
The Scottish Greens have announced plans to introduce a Misogyny and Criminal Justice Bill in the next session of Parliament.
The Bill would aim to tackle misogynistic harassment, incitement, and abuse by recognising misogyny as a specific offence in Scots law.
Recognising that gender based violence is a mission for all in society, the legislation would be accompanied by funding for violence prevention services in local councils, schools, and community organisations to help end violence against women and girls for good.
The commitment comes after the Scottish Government confirmed last year that they were dropping a similar Bill that would have offered much-needed protections for women and girls.
Scottish Greens co-leader Gillian Mackay said:
“Violence against women and girls is a national emergency which must be urgently tackled. Sadly we haven’t seen that urgency from the Scottish Government to date, who shelved their plans.
“That is why the Scottish Greens will step up and work for the Misogyny and Criminal Justice Bill that Scotland deserves, bringing misogyny into Scots law as a specific criminal offence.
“Securing such a change in the law is a vital step to ensuring that reports or harassment and assault, whether that be physical or online are taken seriously and acted upon.
“In an age where we are seeing a global revival of misogyny, spurred on by Donald Trump and the wider far right movement, it feels like we are going backwards.
“Social media has made things worse for so many women and girls, with so much of this harassment online, making those platforms increasingly hostile places.
“Legislation is only part of the picture, but when people are getting away with misogynistic abuse and violence without any recourse, it will be an important part.
“This bill must be part of a bigger institutional and cultural change that we need to see across society.”
