Scottish public to be consulted on laws to criminalise misogyny

The public are to be consulted on new laws to criminalise misogyny in Scotland.

Plans for future legislation are part of the Scottish Government’s official response to the independent working group on misogyny.

The group, chaired by Baroness Helena Kennedy QC, had a report recommending a number of new offences to criminalise specific forms of misogynistic conduct - including stirring up hatred against women and public sexual harassment of women.

According to the government, it has accepted the recommendations are pivotal in challenging misogyny and will develop draft legislative provisions for public consultation.

The timing of a final Bill will be considered as part of the government's future legislative programme.

Keith Brown MSP, the Scottish Government's Justice Secretary, 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."

Image from UK Parliament released under Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0) Licence