Ministers accept Kennedy misogyny proposals
The Scottish Government is to take forward into legislation the recommendations of Baroness Helena Kennedy's report into how to tackle the problem of misogyny.
Published early last month (read news item here), the report recommended a number of new offences to criminalise specific forms of misogynistic conduct – including stirring up hatred against women, public sexual harassment of women, and threatening disfigurement or sexual assault, as well as a new statutory aggravation to existing offences such as assault or threatening behaviour.
In its official response the Government says it accepts that these recommendations "represent a new and necessary departure, in that they specify women and girls as requiring specific protection of the criminal law, and are pivotal in challenging society’s tolerance of misogyny. In particular, it is important to focus on men’s tolerance of misogyny, and ensures a clear message that male attitudes which emanate from prejudice and misogyny have no place in a modern equal Scotland".
Before a bill is introduced at Holyrood, they will consult on draft provisions to allow these to be fully scrutinised by all those with an interest, as they did with the recent legislation against domestic abuse. The timing of a final bill "will be considered as part of wider legislative programming".
Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Veterans Keith Brown said: "The independent report rightly recognises the need to address misogyny and makes a compelling case for creating new laws to tackle this unacceptable conduct.
"The Scottish Government response outlines how we intend to make progress on the blueprint for legislation contained within the report by bringing forward a Bill to the Scottish Parliament.
"With such a substantial and significant report it will take time to work through the recommendations in discussion with key partners, but we are confident the resulting legislation will help send a clear message that male attitudes which emanate from prejudice and misogyny have no place in a modern and equal Scotland."