Hiding the Harm? An Argument against Misogyny Hate Crime

Abstract

This chapter critiques the move towards the inclusion of misogyny in hate crime legislation and practice. The chapter argues that classifying the harassment and violence that women and girls experience as hate distracts attention from the multiple and complex experiences of violence, hostility and exclusion that women experience in society. The chapter responds to the key claims in feminist campaigns supporting the change, which include both substantive benefits and conceptual purposes of misogyny hate crime. The chapter concludes by proposing a public health approach to violence against women and girls, including improved data gathering, and non-criminal justice system responses, such as ed..