Written by Daisy Banwell
WHAT'S UP?
Violence against women and girls.
66% of girls in the UK have experienced unwanted sexual attention and physical contact in a public place.
Those from minority communities are particularly at risk of assault and abuse.
Hate crime legislation covers race, religion, trans identity, sexual orientation and disability as protected characteristics. Crimes motivated by hostility to women should be added to this.
THAT MEANS
If misogyny was a hate crime then police forces would have to log and monitor incidents of hostility towards women and girls.
Crimes motivated by misogyny would be reported and we would have solid data to show what is happening.
This would mean we could track and prevent misogynistic crimes.
And it would mean legislation resulting in a change in the way these crimes are sentenced.
IT WORKS!
In 2016, Nottingham became the first police force to introduce misogyny as a hate crime policy. Four others have followed!
Anti-Harassment Club and Our Streets Now are working hard to make this happen in Sussex.
MP Stella Creasy has been campaigning to make misogyny a hate crime throughout the UK.
WHAT CAN I DO?
Share your thoughts on social media using the #MYMISOGYNYSTORY hashtag and don't forget to tag Stella!
You can also go here to see how you can share your thoughts on why misogyny should be a hate crime.