Misogyny in the Criminal Justice System

Abstract

AbstractFocussing on a number of events during the month of March 2021, this article illustrates the enduring presence of misogynistic attitudes across criminal justice institutions, which leads to discriminatory practice and unjust outcomes for women. In particular, it focusses on the events following the high‐profile disappearance and murder of Sarah Everard, the growing awareness of police perpetrated abuse, the collapse in rape prosecutions and the unwillingness of the courts to hold the Crown Prosecution Service accountable. The article references the Domestic Abuse Bill in the final stages of its parliamentary journey and what was missing from it. Concluding with a detailed exploration of how the small number of women who kill their violent partners are frequently convicted of murder, illustrated by a detailed case study of Emma‐Jayne Magson. How women who kill are treated in the criminal justice system is a microcosmic illustration of misogyny in the criminal justice system.