In the aftermath of the tragic Keyham shooting in Plymouth, which shocked the nation, there has been a growing call for action to address the concerning rise of online misogyny and its potential links to violence against women and girls. A local MP has been at the forefront of this campaign, pushing for measures to tackle the spread of incel (involuntary celibate) culture, particularly among young men.
The perpetrator of the Keyham shooting had frequented incel forums online and expressed extremist views in YouTube rants. His actions reignited a national debate on how to confront the issue of online misogyny, prompting proactive steps to address the matter.
Accompanied by families of the victims, the MP met with the Security Minister to emphasize the urgent need for action to tackle the rising concerns over the online incel culture. The incident in Keyham was not an isolated one; it followed another horrifying murder in Plymouth, where a young student was kidnapped, tortured, and killed by an individual with a fascination for serial killers, particularly those who targeted women.
The Shadow Education Secretary has announced a comprehensive plan to equip teachers with the necessary tools to combat sexual harassment influenced by online misogyny among young men. This initiative comes in response to alarming statistics, including a 400% increase in mentions of terms like ‘sexism’, ‘misogyny’, and ‘sexual harassment’ in school inspection data between 2019 and 2022.
The strategy includes measures such as supporting schools to share best practices in dealing with misogyny and sexual harassment, providing digital literacy education embedded within the curriculum, and ensuring access to mental health councilors in every school. Additionally, Ofsted will be empowered to conduct new annual safeguarding checks to swiftly identify patterns of harmful behaviour.
The influence of social media platforms, particularly TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram, has exacerbated the problem, with algorithms pushing content from misogynistic online subcultures to young male audiences. Influencers have been able to disseminate their harmful views directly to this demographic, raising concerns among parents and educators.
The MP emphasized the necessity of preventing similar tragedies like the Keyham shooting from occurring in the future. Reforms in gun laws and decisive action to curb the spread of online misogyny were highlighted, alongside the importance of providing support and tools to teachers in tackling misogyny and harassment in schools.
The Shadow Education Secretary reiterated the damaging impact of influencer content on young men and outlined the commitment to implementing better safeguarding measures in schools. She emphasized the party’s focus on raising standards and ensuring the safety of children within the education system.
In response to inquiries about a national strategy on incel culture, the Government’s Prevent program aims to address radicalization across all ideologies, including those associated with incel narratives. Concerns have been raised about the effectiveness of Prevent, particularly in identifying and intervening with individuals at risk of radicalization.
The recent inquest into the Keyham shooting revealed missed opportunities in safeguarding and prevention efforts. Despite concerns raised, a referral to the Prevent program was declined, highlighting gaps in the system’s response to potential threats.
As the nation grapples with the aftermath of the Keyham shooting and confronts the underlying issues of online misogyny and radicalization, the need for decisive action and comprehensive strategies to address these challenges has never been more apparent. The proposed plan aims to equip educators with the tools and support necessary to tackle misogyny and harassment in schools, while also advocating for reforms in gun laws and addressing the spread of online extremism.
In the face of these tragedies, it is imperative that both government and society as a whole work together to prevent future incidents and ensure the safety and well-being of all individuals, particularly women and girls, in our communities.
