Women doubt Swinney will deliver revived misogyny crime bill
John Swinney says the Scottish Government will introduce a bill by next summer making harassment and abuse based on misogyny a specific criminal offence. The announcement revives a proposal dropped in May 2025, prompting critics to question whether the SNP can be trusted to deliver effective protections for women and girls.
The earlier proposal was abandoned after the government said it needed more time to revise it following a Supreme Court ruling on the meaning of “woman” in the Equality Act. A 2022 working group led by Baroness Helena Kennedy had recommended a standalone law covering issues including street harassment, online threats and sexual violence. Swinney also announced up to £1 million for school programmes on respect, and a revival of Police Scotland’s “Don’t be That Guy” campaign.
- Swinney plans to revive a Scottish misogyny bill by next summer.
- The SNP dropped an earlier version in May 2025.
- New school funding and a police campaign are also planned.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Women sceptical of Swinney’s U-turn on abandoned misogyny law”.