Reclaim The Net noted that in the digital era, "it will no longer be enough to treat violence against women as 'simply' a criminal offense" in the United Kingdom. "This is likely to be elevated to the level of terrorism, and a threat to national security," the outlet added.
A review of the U.K.'s counter-extremism strategy commissioned by British Home Secretary Yvette Cooper used the terms "extreme misogyny" and "violence against women" interchangeably. According to the Telegraph, the British Home Office (BHO) ranks several categories of extremism as areas of concern. These include Islamism, far-right ideology, animal rights, the environment, and those related to Northern Ireland.
Aside from these, the BHO also keeps tabs on the "incel" (involuntary celibate) ideology. But the Telegraph noted that "officials now fear that this category does not capture other forms of extreme misogyny."
Specifically, the review concerns "radicalized teenage boys" who are allegedly falling prey to so-called "misogynistic influencers." Cooper defended the initiative, saying the review was long needed amid existing guidance from the BHO being too narrow. She blamed the internet for this online radicalization supposedly happening to young people.
"For too long, governments have failed to address the rise in extremism both online and on our streets, and we've seen the number of young people radicalized online grow," Cooper said. "Hateful incitement of all kinds fractures and frays the very fabric of our communities and our democracy."...<<<Read More>>>...