UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has announced a review of the country’s counter-terrorism laws to potentially include extreme misogyny as a form of terrorism.
Tackling Harmful Ideologies
According to Hotnews this review aims to address violence against women and girls and to close existing gaps in how such issues are handled.
Cooper's decision comes as part of a broader effort to tackle harmful ideologies that promote hate and threaten democracy.
The review will focus on various forms of extremism, including Islamist and far-right groups, as well as extreme misogyny. It will also look into how young people are radicalized both online and offline.
If the review leads to changes, teachers might be required to report students who show signs of extreme misogyny to government programs designed to counter terrorism. Cooper has criticized the previous government's strategy as outdated and hopes this review will lead to stronger measures against hateful ideologies.
Young Men and Boys Targeted
The move comes after concerns about rising online extremism and dangerous content. High-profile cases like Andrew Tate, an influencer accused of serious crimes, have highlighted the issue of online radicalization.
Maggie Blyth, from the National Police Chiefs' Council, says that young men and boys are increasingly being radicalized online, similar to how extremists recruit followers. She argues that the rise in online hate speech and extremism threatens communities and democracy.
The review is set to be completed this fall and will help shape a new counter-extremism strategy to be introduced early next year. Sir Mark Rowley, Metropolitan Police Commissioner, has called for treating violence against women as a national security issue, stressing the need for more resources to tackle these crimes.
