01Mar 2022 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Misogyny vote: Conservatives turning a blind eye to anti-women hatred

Misogyny vote: Conservatives turning a blind eye to anti-women hatred

Borough news, CSE, domestic abuse and violence, Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats have criticised the Government for rejecting a law that would make misogyny a hate crime. Today, Conservative MPs voted against the law, which had been passed by the House of Lords last month. The vote comes days after a man pleaded guilty to the murder of Sabina Nessa and just days before the anniversary of the murder of Sarah Everard. Cross-party peers had added a clause to the Government’s Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill to make crimes motivated by hatred of women aggravated offences, so they are treated as seriously as crimes motivated by racial or religious hatred. Liberal Democrat MPs voted to keep the amendment, which now returns to the House of Lords. Wera Hobhouse MP, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Justice and Women & Equalities,…
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12Oct 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Hate crimes: Highest on record despite misogyny exclusion

Hate crimes: Highest on record despite misogyny exclusion

Parliamentary news
Reacting to new statistics released today which show that there has been a 9% rise in hate crimes since last year - now the highest on record - Liberal Democrat Justice and Equalities Spokesperson Wera Hobhouse MP said: “Violence and abuse of any kind has no place in our society. It is unacceptable that so many people are victimised simply because of who they are. This has to change. “There are even more hate crimes – against women – that are not included in these statistics, because the Government still refuses to make misogyny a hate crime. It’s time for the Prime Minister to listen to our calls for change, so that crimes motivated by hatred against women are treated as seriously as those motivated by racism or religious hatred.…
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06Oct 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Raab’s comments on misogyny are callous and insulting

Raab’s comments on misogyny are callous and insulting

Parliamentary news
Responding to the news that new Justice Secretary Dominic Raab does not understand the meaning of misogyny, Liberal Democrat Equalities Spokesperson Wera Hobhouse MP said: “It’s little wonder the Conservatives are failing to tackle misogyny when their Justice Secretary doesn’t even seem to know what it is.” "These comments are an insult to the millions of women and girls impacted by misogyny and show just how out of touch the Conservatives are on this issue. "Women and girls deserve better than these callous remarks. The Government must make misogyny a hate crime so that police forces take these crimes more seriously and support women and girls who are being so desperately let down."
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05Oct 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
PM refusing to make misogyny a hate crime is “out of touch” and “tone deaf”

PM refusing to make misogyny a hate crime is “out of touch” and “tone deaf”

Parliamentary news
Responding to the news that Boris Johnson does not support making misogyny a hate crime, Liberal Democrat Equalities Spokesperson Wera Hobhouse MP said: "Violence against women and girls is endemic in our society. Since the tragic death of Sarah Everard, 80 women have allegedly been killed at the hands of men. We need stronger political leadership for a huge culture change. "The Prime Minister today ruling out making misogyny a hate crime shows just how out of touch and tone deaf he is. "Making misogyny a hate crime is a crucial step at the heart of reforming our criminal justice system, which has failed women and girls for too long. Yet this Conservative government is refusing to look at the real causes for violence against women and girls. "Women and…
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18Mar 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Domestic Abuse Bill: Government concession on misogyny welcome

Domestic Abuse Bill: Government concession on misogyny welcome

Parliamentary news
Liberal Democrat MP Christine Jardine, who moved the amendment to the Domestic Abuse Bill to make misogyny a hate crime, has welcomed the Government's concession on misogyny to the bill, but renewed calls for it to be made a hate crime. Christine Jardine MP said: "I am relieved that the Government has recognised the need to act on misogyny and follow the lead already taken on this by some police forces. If we are to better protect women and girls in this country then crimes motivated by hatred towards women and girls must be treated as seriously as racially or religiously motivated hate crimes. "This is a moment when we are sadly too aware of the dangers. We are all grateful to everyone who has worked to make this possible."
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11Mar 2021 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Time to make misogyny a hate crime and pass the Domestic Abuse Bill

Time to make misogyny a hate crime and pass the Domestic Abuse Bill

Parliamentary news
Liberal Democrat MP Wendy Chamberlain has called on the Government to pass the Domestic Abuse Bill and make misogyny a hate crime in a powerful International Women's Day speech to the House of Commons. The theme of this year's International Women's Day is "Choose to Challenge". Wendy Chamberlain, who was a police officer before she became an MP, said: "The challenge to the Government is – Pass the Domestic Abuse Bill – it’s been in the offing for four years. Legislate to make misogyny a hate crime. Make sure that those occupying positions of trust are people we really can trust. "Men need to step up. They need to be active allies. International Women's Day is just as much about my 13-year-old son as my daughter. "And the final challenge…
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13Oct 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani
Record high hate crimes must be combatted

Record high hate crimes must be combatted

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats are calling on anyone "with the privilege of a public platform – including Government Ministers" to "condemn the irresponsible and divisive rhetoric that inflames hatred", as new official figures show hate crimes have risen to a new record high. The Home Office figures, released today, show that: 105,090 hate crimes were recorded by the police in England and Wales in 2019-20 – a new record high.There was a particularly big increase in hate crimes against LGBT+ people, with a 19% year-on-year increase in sexual orientation-based hate crimes and an 18% increase in transphobic hate crimes.There was a big spike in the number of racially- and religiously-motivated hate crimes in June and July 2020. Responding to the figures, Liberal Democrat Equalities Spokesperson Wera Hobhouse said: “Far too many…
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23Apr 2020 by Sam Al-Hamdani

Home Secretary urged to tackle hate crime towards Chinese community

Parliamentary news
The Liberal Democrats have called on the Home Secretary to set out what additional steps the Government is taking to prevent coronavirus-related hate crimes towards the Chinese community. The call comes amid concerns about incidents of racially-motivated hate crimes against people in the Chinese community during the coronavirus pandemic, including a shocking 900% increase in content of that nature on Twitter. In a letter to the Home Secretary from Christine Jardine MP, Daisy Cooper MP and Isabelle Parasram, Vice President of the Liberal Democrats, the Liberal Democrats have urged the Home Secretary to use her public platforms to “condemn this pernicious new form of racism.” Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesperson Christine Jardine said:  “Everyone should be free to live their lives without fear of discrimination, abuse or violence. Reports of…
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