Scotland Revives Abandoned Misogyny Law, Sparking Skepticism

Scotland's First Minister John Swinney has announced plans to introduce a bill to make misogyny a specific criminal offense, a move that has been met with skepticism from some women's groups who recall the previous abandonment of similar legislation.

During his address to the SNP conference, Swinney stated that his government would bring forward a bill by next summer to recognize misogyny as a distinct form of prejudice and abuse. This initiative is accompanied by a £1 million 'Respect fund' for schools to tackle misogyny, with resources allocated for third-sector programs and age-appropriate learning on respect for primary school pupils. An older campaign, 'Don't be That Guy,' will also be revived with the involvement of sports personalities to serve as positive role models for young men.

However, critics have voiced concerns about the SNP's commitment to protecting women and girls. The party had previously scrapped similar legislation in May 2025. At that time, the government cited insufficient time to redraft the law following a Supreme Court judgment on the definition of a 'woman' in the Equality Act, particularly as the bill would have included protections for transgender women. This decision has led to questions about the public's trust in the SNP's ability to address misogyny effectively.

Baroness Helena Kennedy, a lawyer and human rights expert, had recommended a standalone bill in 2022 to address misogynistic abuse, encompassing street harassment, online hate, and threats of violence. She emphasized the seriousness and complexity of the issue, which extends to sexual violence, hatred, online threats, and 'incel' culture.

Susan Smith and Marion Calder of For Women Scotland expressed reservations, noting the government's recent legal arguments regarding biological men in female jails and silence on other related issues. They suggested that the government should focus on substantive work rather than mere policy announcements.

In contrast, Rape Crisis Scotland welcomed the decision, with external affairs manager Nicola Love stating that the initial recommendation for misogyny legislation recognized the widespread abuse faced by women and girls. She described the previous dropping of the bill as frustrating and expressed hope that the new legislation would effectively make women and girls safer across Scotland.

The announcement of the misogyny bill came amidst Swinney's broader focus on Scotland's constitutional future, where he mentioned independence numerous times. Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay criticized Swinney for what he termed an 'obsession' with independence, suggesting it served as a distraction from the SNP's performance record.