Overwhelming public support for Misogyny Hate Crime Policy

People in Nottinghamshire will not tolerate misogyny hate crime and a policy introduced in 2016 is already shifting the attitudes of both victims and potential perpetrators, according to a new report. Over 87 per cent of people surveyed thought a policy change two years ago to make misogyny a hate crime in Nottinghamshire, was a good idea. The survey, which was commissioned by Nottingham Women's Centre and funded by the Office for Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner, was carried out to evaluate the policy implemented by Nottinghamshire Police. According to the survey, over 64 per cent of women admitted that they'd altered their behaviour in some way to avoid harassment, such as changing the way they dress, avoiding using public transport or speaking out less online. However, a recommendation from the report said any future campaign around the policy should actually focus on the men who engage in these behaviours being the ones who need to change. The report, which was put together by experts from the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University, also found that nearly 94 per cent of people surveyed have experienced or witnessed street harassment in Nottinghamshire. Helen Voce, the Chief Executive of Nottingham Women's Centre said: "The primary objective of the policy change was not to see hundreds of prosecutions, it was to let people know that this behaviour isn't acceptable and will not be tolerated in Nottinghamshire.