We have previously discussed the alarming rollback on free speech rights in the West, particularly in France (here and here and here and here and here and here) and England ( here and here and here and here and here and here and here and here and here and here). Much of this trend is tied to the expansion of hate speech and non-discrimination laws. Once allowed to criminalize speech, individuals and groups demand more and more prohibitions. England is in a free fall over free speech and this week is yet another example. The police have indicated that they are considering making wolf whistles the latest category of hate speech.
The change is part of an new assessment in the works by the Metropolitan Police and other UK law enforcement organizations. The pilot program has been started by Nottinghamshire Police in making arrests for street harassment, verbal abuse and taking photos without consent. The target is any speech or sounds deemed misogynistic.
Dozens of women reported misogynistic crimes under the new program.
The result is that England will continue to criminalize speech and sounds deemed offensive or misogynistic in its continued plunge into speech regulation.
I think that unfortunately, the pendulum will swing to the point that women will end up being ostracised in seeming prevention of some ‘angry woman’ syndrome. People making accusations, especially decade old ones, need to be very aware that on a macro scale the consequences might not be as intended.