Misogyny and Online Extremism: Leaked UK Gov Report Warns of Emerging Threats

[Social Media]

 

A leaked Home Office report has identified misogyny and violence against women as significant gateways to extremist beliefs, urging the government to shift its focus from ideology to concerning behaviors. According to the report, obtained by the Policy Exchange think tank, these behaviors include spreading misinformation, influencing racism, and engaging with an online subculture known as the "manosphere."  

 

The review, commissioned by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper following last summer’s riots, aimed to provide a comprehensive analysis of emerging extremist trends. In August, Cooper announced she had directed the Home Office to conduct a “rapid analytical sprint on extremism” to monitor patterns and inform the government's approach. The leaked document reportedly lists several “behaviors and activity of concern” alongside “damaging extremist beliefs.” These include misogyny, violence against women and girls, a fixation on gore and violence without explicit ideological motivation, spreading conspiracy theories, and participating in the manosphere.  

 

The report also notes that claims of “two-tier” policing align with a “right-wing extremist narrative.” However, analysts Paul Stott and Andrew Gilligan from Policy Exchange have warned that the proposed approach could overwhelm authorities with new cases. “Some of the definitions of extremism also threaten free speech, defining aspects of normal and legitimate political debate as extremist,” they argued.  

 

According to the BBC, Cooper does not fully agree with the report’s central findings and will push the government to maintain its primary focus on Islamist and far-right extremism. The report also suggests reversing a code of practice that limits the recording of “non-crime hate incidents” and considers the creation of a new offense related to making “harmful communications” online.  

 

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp has expressed concerns over the broadening definition of extremism. “By extending the definition of extremism so widely, the Government risks losing focus on ideologically motivated terrorists who pose the most risk to life,” he stated. “In fact, the Shawcross Review of Prevent made clear that counter-extremism and the counterterrorism strategy should be more focused on terrorist ideology, not less.

 

Prevent must be equipped to deal with the terrorist threats in our society, and we should not be dialing back efforts to confront this.”  

As debates continue over how best to address extremism, the report’s findings raise pressing questions about the intersection of online subcultures, misinformation, and the broader landscape of radicalization.

 

Based on a report by The Independent 2025-01-30

 

 

[newbee2022]

9 hours ago, Social Media said:

https://static.independent.co.uk/2024/09/02/16/SEI215891261.jpg?quality=75&width=1200&auto=webp

 

A leaked Home Office report has identified misogyny and violence against women as significant gateways to extremist beliefs, urging the government to shift its focus from ideology to concerning behaviors. According to the report, obtained by the Policy Exchange think tank, these behaviors include spreading misinformation, influencing racism, and engaging with an online subculture known as the "manosphere."  

 

The review, commissioned by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper following last summer’s riots, aimed to provide a comprehensive analysis of emerging extremist trends. In August, Cooper announced she had directed the Home Office to conduct a “rapid analytical sprint on extremism” to monitor patterns and inform the government's approach. The leaked document reportedly lists several “behaviors and activity of concern” alongside “damaging extremist beliefs.” These include misogyny, violence against women and girls, a fixation on gore and violence without explicit ideological motivation, spreading conspiracy theories, and participating in the manosphere.  

 

The report also notes that claims of “two-tier” policing align with a “right-wing extremist narrative.” However, analysts Paul Stott and Andrew Gilligan from Policy Exchange have warned that the proposed approach could overwhelm authorities with new cases. “Some of the definitions of extremism also threaten free speech, defining aspects of normal and legitimate political debate as extremist,” they argued.  

 

According to the BBC, Cooper does not fully agree with the report’s central findings and will push the government to maintain its primary focus on Islamist and far-right extremism. The report also suggests reversing a code of practice that limits the recording of “non-crime hate incidents” and considers the creation of a new offense related to making “harmful communications” online.  

 

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp has expressed concerns over the broadening definition of extremism. “By extending the definition of extremism so widely, the Government risks losing focus on ideologically motivated terrorists who pose the most risk to life,” he stated. “In fact, the Shawcross Review of Prevent made clear that counter-extremism and the counterterrorism strategy should be more focused on terrorist ideology, not less.

 

Prevent must be equipped to deal with the terrorist threats in our society, and we should not be dialing back efforts to confront this.”  

As debates continue over how best to address extremism, the report’s findings raise pressing questions about the intersection of online subcultures, misinformation, and the broader landscape of radicalization.

 

Based on a report by The Independent 2025-01-30

 

 

Good analytical report

[JonnyF]

12 hours ago, Social Media said:

A leaked Home Office report has identified misogyny and violence against women as significant gateways to extremist beliefs, urging the government to shift its focus from ideology to concerning behaviors.

 

Labour deflecting again.

 

We all know the main gateway to extremist beliefs. 

 

The only surprise is that they didn't start banging on about the "far right" again.

 

Oh, wait a minute....

 

12 hours ago, Social Media said:

The report also notes that claims of “two-tier” policing align with a “right-wing extremist narrative.”

 

[Chomper Higgot]

3 hours ago, JonnyF said:

 

Labour deflecting again.

 

We all know the main gateway to extremist beliefs. 

 

The only surprise is that they didn't start banging on about the "far right" again.

 

Oh, wait a minute....

 

 

It must have been uncomfortable reading.