The UK government is set to classify "extreme misogyny" as a form of terrorism, as part of an effort to address the so-called growing radicalization of young men online.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has ordered a review of the country’s counter-terrorism strategy to tackle what she describes as significant gaps in the government's current approach to extremism. The review will consider violence against women alongside other forms of extremism, such as Islamist and far-right terrorism.
Due to the proposed changes, teachers and other professionals could be legally required to report students they suspect of engaging in "extreme misogyny" to Prevent, the government’s counter-terrorism program. Currently, educators, healthcare workers, and other officials are obligated to refer individuals they believe may be at risk of radicalization. Once referred, the individual is assessed by local authorities and police to determine if “they need to be deradicalized,” according to a report by The Telegraph.
“For too long, Governments have failed to address the rise in extremism, both online and on our streets, said Cooper. “We’ve seen the number of young people radicalized online grow. Hateful incitement of all kinds fractures and frays the very fabric of our communities and our democracy.”
The Home Office currently lists several categories of extremism, including Islamist, extreme right-wing, animal rights, environmental, and Northern Ireland-related extremism. The term "incel," short for involuntarily celibate, is also included, as the UK defines individuals under this category as men who may develop violent tendencies towards women due to perceived rejection. However, Cooper and other officials believe this is insufficient and that further measures are needed.
This review follows a recent statement by Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley, who called for violence against women to be treated as a national security threat. The findings of Cooper’s review are expected later this year and will form the basis for a new counter-extremism strategy set to launch next year.
“Action against extremism has been badly hollowed out in recent years, just when it should have been needed most,” Cooper claimed. “That’s why I have directed the Home Office to conduct a rapid analytical sprint on extremism, to map and monitor extremist trends, to understand the evidence about what works to disrupt and divert people away from extremist views, and to identify any gaps in existing policy which need to be addressed to crack down on those pushing harmful and hateful beliefs and violence.”
