Yvette Cooper, the United Kingdom’s (UK) Home Secretary, has ordered a review of the country’s counter-terrorism strategy to address violence against women and girls, identify gaps in current legislation, and examine new ideologies.
According to the proposals, teachers would be legally required to refer students suspected of extreme misogyny to Prevent, the UK government’s counter-terrorism program.
“Governments have for too long failed to address the rise of extremism, both online and on our streets, and we have seen an increase in young people being radicalized online. The incitement of hatred in all its forms tears apart the very fabric of our communities and our democracy,” said Cooper.
She stated that she had instructed the department to analyze extremism, map and monitor extremist trends, understand the evidence on what works to disrupt and deter people from extremist views and identify any gaps in existing policy that need to be addressed to counter those who promote harmful and hate-filled beliefs and violence.
“This work will be supported by a new strategic approach to countering extremism by the government, working closely with communities to build consensus and support for our plans,” she added.
The review is expected to be completed this fall as part of a new strategy to combat extremism, which the Home Office will present next year.
There are several categories of extremism ranked by the Home Office, including “incel,” or “involuntary celibacy,” an online subculture where men promote a misogynistic worldview, blaming women for their lack of sexual opportunities.
Last month, a senior police officer warned that online influencers like Andrew Tate could radicalize young men and boys into extreme misogyny in the same way that terrorists attract their followers.
Deputy Chief Constable Maggie Blyth, the national lead for combating violence against women and girls (VAWG), said that the influence on young men online is “quite frightening.” She noted that the Online Safety Act needs to go further and that quicker actions are needed to protect children.
Blyth mentioned that senior officers focusing on violence against women and girls are in contact with counter-terrorism teams to assess the risk of young men being radicalized.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council has published a report on violence against women and girls, defining it as a national emergency.
Tate is currently awaiting trial in Romania on charges of rape, human trafficking, and forming a criminal group to exploit women sexually. He denies the charges. Last year, counter-extremism workers warned of an increase in cases referred to them by schools concerned about Tate’s influence.
Incidents have included verbal harassment of female teachers or other students and outbursts reflecting the influencer’s views.
“He [Tate] clearly doesn’t fit within the Prevent sphere, but incels do. He runs parallel to them, and there is some overlap. When I’m in a school, I find myself describing him, effectively, as a toxic misogynist on steroids,” one Prevent program worker said, Klix.ba writes.
E.Dz.
