Misogyny should be a hate crime, say couple that was attacked last year

A couple, who were victims of a homophobic attack incident in London last year, want misogyny to be classified as a hate crime.

The couple joins former police officials, MPs and religious leaders urging parliament to bring the new law.

This comes as a report from Citizens UK shows that women are three times more likely to be victims of sexual violence and threatening behaviour than men.

Melania Geymonat and her partner Chris were beaten up by a gang of youths on a London bus when they refused to kiss.

They revealed in a statement: "In the wake of being subjected to a homophobic hate crime we have been looking to find ways to ensure that we prevent other, more vulnerable people, from having to go through the horrors we did."

The report by the community group, Citizens UK, found that out of those that responded in England and Wales, 9 in 20 women experienced threatening sexual violence and 43% had been sexually assaulted.

Pressure has been mounting on the government to change the law ever since Labour's Stella Creasy, presented an amendment during the 2018 bill against "upskirting".

This amendment will go to public consultation later this month.

The MP for Walthamstow said that the amendment was relevant now more than ever, especially considering figures showing increases of violence against women during lockdown.

She said: "Making misogyny a hate crime would give them equal protection and ensure that no woman from any background is asked to tick a box in order for the police and courts to act when she is a victim of crime,"