Misogynist terrorism

Mass murderers, in some cases identifying as incels, have described being motived by a perception of entitlement to sex or companionship with attractive women, a desire to seek vengeance for the perception of being rejected by women, and a drive to put women "in their place."[5] For example, in the 2014 Isla Vista attack, the perpetrator set out to "punish all females for the crime of depriving me of sex."[6] Incel ideology has been a contributing factor to 90 fatalities and injuries since this attack, as of early 2020.[7]

Sexual entitlement, alone, has been a primary motivator for acts of terror. The ICCT have found that anti-feminist conspiracy theories are typically combined with other far-right ideologies in motivating terrorists; however, sexual entitlement may be a motivation that stands by itself.[2]

In some attacks or threats of terrorism the perpetrator has described desire to reenforce male superiority in a sexual hierarchy by preventing women from being recognized for their work or tolerated in leadership positions. For example, feminist video game critic Anita Sarkeesian received threats of mass shooting and bombing unless a ceremony in which she was to be given an award were canceled.[8] The ICCT argues[9] that the Hanau terrorist attack, although the perpetrator also had some beliefs about sex in common with the incel subculture, should be understood as motivated instead by male supremacism.

Valenti writes that some misogynist terrorists have been motivated by a desire to live up to a stereotype that "real men" are powerful through violence.[10]

Incel beliefs can include an abhorrence of men who are perceived as sexually successful with women. Male victims of misogynist violence have been targeted because of a desperation to assert superiority over these men.[7]

As is typical of terrorism, these acts are intended to cause widespread fear. Any woman may reasonably be unsettled about the potential of being targeted, notes philosopher Kate Manne, because often victims of these killings are treated as essentially interchangeable. Women are targeted merely because they fit a certain type rather than because they have any particular relationship to the killer.[1]

Misogyny need not mean hostility to women universally, or even very generally. Instead, misogynist terrorists often express desire to target women of a particular type, as revenge for perceived slights, or because of a perceived connection of the targeted women with feminism. However, the women targeted have no actual connection to a terrorist targeting indiscriminately; instead they are viewed as representatives or stand-ins for the women he wishes to harm.[1]