Charities have called for hate crime laws to be extended to tackle the harassment of women in society

Plans to make misogyny a crime in Scotland are being considered.

A hate crime legislation review is being carried out by the Scottish Government to consider more effective ways to deal with unacceptable behaviour in society.

High Court Judge Lord Bracadale is leading the review and it’s understood that legislation is being considered to tackle misogyny after calls from charities.

Sandy Brindley, of Rape Crisis Scotland, said: "We believe that there is inadequate protection to deal with misogynistic harassment and abuse,

"In our experience, the gap in the protection the law provides to women in Scotland relates to harassment, particularly online harassment, and incitement to hatred. It is in this area that we consider potential new legislation could be developed to provide real improvements in the protections offered to women in Scotland."

In its representation, Engender said that incitement to misogyny should be included as a crime where it causes women to suffer hate, bias or harassment.

Fathers4Justice have also called for an expansion to the laws, and have highlighted the need to clampdown on a hatred of men too.

John Wilkes is a member of the nine-member hate crime review advisory group. He said: “The issue of misogyny as a hate crime is something that Lord Bracadale is looking at just now as part of his review of Scottish hate crime legislation.

"Recent events in parliament, the film industry and at the Dorchester Hotel [for the Presidents Club Charity dinner] all remind us that misogyny remains a serious issue.”