The campaigner behind a report on violence against women has criticised the government for using the document to justify delaying long-awaited hate crime legislation.
Kate Wright warned that postponing the development of laws which includes protections against misogyny risks undermining the broader effort to tackle violence against women and girls.
Her comments come after the Home Affairs Minister confirmed that the current government does not have “sufficient time or resources” to complete the hate crime legislation work this term – after making a “difficult” decision not to prioritise it.
Deputy Mary Le Hegarat claimed delays had also been caused by the complexity of other legislative work, and the government’s decision to prioritise recommendations from the violence against women and girls report.
But, as chair of the taskforce behind that report, Mrs Wright said the two issues are not in conflict – and argued that hatred of women is a driving force behind much gender-based violence.
The domestic abuse charity CEO said: “As gender inequality and misogyny are the root causes of violence against women and girls, hate crime legislation that includes misogyny is very much supportive of and consistent with the VAWG Taskforce’s findings and aims.
“It is a structural tool that helps dismantle the cultural norms that permit violence against women and girls to flourish.
“In my view, hate crime legislation is an important and natural extension to the recommendations.”
Misogyny is not abstract and, as a root cause of violence against women and girls, it is vital that it is robustly tackled
Kate wright, chair of the violence against women and girls taskforce
The campaigner continued: “Jersey must take a clear and principled stance against all forms of hate – racism, misogyny, homophobia, transphobia and beyond.
“That means not only challenging it in our communities, but prosecuting it effectively. Hate crime legislation is not symbolic.
“Providing it is backed by training, education, trust-building and visible leadership, it is a vital tool for justice, protection and deterrence.
“This really should be a priority for our Government and our States Assembly.”
Her comments come after a series of swastikas and homophobic slurs were graffitied across various public spaces in St Helier earlier this month, leading to the arrests of two men.
The graffiti was condemned by politicians, members of the Jewish community, and
a diversity and inclusion charity CEO.
The incident prompted fresh calls for a dedicated hate crime law, with Mrs Wright saying it should serve as a warning.
“The hateful misogynistic, homophobic and racist graffiti seen recently is a worrying reminder that Jersey is not immune to the toxic ideologies gaining ground elsewhere,” she said.
“With all this in view, complacency is clearly not an option.”
Unlike in England and Wales – where offences motivated by hostility based on someone’s identity can result in harsher sentences – Jersey’s law does not recognise crimes as being aggravated by prejudice on the grounds of race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity.
After already facing a series of delays, local hate crime legislation had been expected to be debated before the end of this political term – but the Government earlier this month confirmed that this will not happen until after the next election.
Deputy Mary Le Hegarat said in a statement: “The development of hate crime legislation for Jersey is a very significant piece of work, which will require considerable resources to complete.”
The Home Affairs Minister added: “I had hoped last year that there would be sufficient time and resources to complete the work in this term of government, but it has become clear that difficult decisions need to be taken about prioritisation.”
But Mrs Wright warned: “Misogyny is not abstract and, as a root cause of violence against women and girls, it is vital that it is robustly tackled.
“It’s something many women and girls in our community live with daily.
“It shapes their choices, limits their freedoms and undermines their dignity.”