If a woman experiences verbal abuse or unwanted sexual advances they can now report these incidents as a hate crime to North Yorkshire Police.
It’s the second force in the UK to record misogynistic incidents after Nottinghamshire Police became the first forceto do so in 2016.Deputy Chief Constable Lisa Winward said: “Hate in all its forms is wrong and North Yorkshire Police will take all the necessary steps to protect our communities and ensure the women and girls of our region feel safe to go about their daily business, without fear of being targeted simply because they are a woman.“I encourage all victims of all types of hate crime to come forward and report it, either to the police on 101 or to Stop Hate UK on 0800 138 1625. You will be listened to and supported.”Last year ActionAid research revealed three in seven women reported feeling at risk of harassment on city streets. All police forces in England, Wales and Northern Ireland annually monitor five strands of hate crime:
Disability
Gender identity
Race, ethnicity or nationality
Religion, faith or belief
Sexual orientation
Forces have the power and authority to include their own definition of a hate crime, and the inclusion of misogyny by North Yorkshire Police is something that is being welcomed by women living in the region who say it's made them feel safer. The below video, created by North Yorkshire P:olice, sees female York St John University students speaking about the verbal and physical abuse they've received as a result of their gender:
