After the launch of the Nottingham Citizens ‘No Place for Hate’ report, a hate crime research project in 2014, Nottinghamshire Police has been working with Nottingham Women’s Centre to tackle misogynistic abuse of women.
We witnessed the first incredible result of their cooperation this year, when Nottinghamshire Police became the first force in the country to recognise misogyny as a hate crime. You may have seen the national news reports.
This is a huge step forward in creating a safer environment for women in Nottingham, one where women can feel comfortable and free to walk the streets without fearing harassment and abuse directed at them simply because they are women.
Misogynistic hate crime incidents include unwanted or uninvited sexual advances, unwanted or uninvited physical contact such as groping, verbal abuse and harassment, and taking photographs without consent. Unfortunately, we know that these kinds of incidents affect many women on a daily basis.
Police officers have undergone special training and will now be able to log and monitor such incidents, support the victims, and better understand the circumstances of such incidents. Nottingham Women’s Centre, in conjunction with Nottinghamshire Police, is also making a short video to promote awareness of the crime and highlight its impact on women in Nottinghamshire. They’re looking for local women to take part; find out how you can contribute on their website.
Equation is very pleased to know that from now on, women and girls in Nottingham will be able to report this kind of behaviour, and that the Police will take every incident very seriously. The change sends a message to perpetrators of this kind of abuse that they are committing an offence, and that they could be reported to the Police. This is a fantastic step forward for women’s safety in the local area.
If you are a woman who has experienced misogynistic hate crime, or if you have witnessed such a crime, you can call Nottinghamshire Police on 101, or report it online on True Vision.