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Original poster

Owen Lawrence - Leeds crossbow misogynist

80 replies

SmegmaCausesBV · 29/04/2025 21:03

I searched but couldn't find a thread discussing this. There was apparently a "hate filled" manifesto on facebook before the attack in Leeds, where Owen used a crossbow to hit two women. He is a self-described misogynist and interested in the far right. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3evygw383eo

Often on here we talk about young men and boys and their misogynistic online presence but this guy was 38 - old enough to be a father himself and clearly not a respectable role model. AIBU to think the idea of men who are older retraining into teaching roles isn't going to magically reverse this and may indeed make it worse? This violent behaviour against women clearly spans all ages and the right wing authoritarians in particular. Does anyone know how men are still getting hold of crossbows after Labour were supposed to be banning them? Is anyone else becoming increasingly worried about the growing threat these men are posing to women out in public?

A man looking down at the camera. He has short grey hair and is wearing a black jacket with a hood which is zipped up.

Otley run crossbow attack suspect dies, police confirm

The 38-year-old posted online before the planned violence and listed his targets.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3evygw383eo

OP posts:
Tauranga · 29/04/2025 21:53

SmegmaCausesBV · 29/04/2025 21:03

I searched but couldn't find a thread discussing this. There was apparently a "hate filled" manifesto on facebook before the attack in Leeds, where Owen used a crossbow to hit two women. He is a self-described misogynist and interested in the far right. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3evygw383eo

Often on here we talk about young men and boys and their misogynistic online presence but this guy was 38 - old enough to be a father himself and clearly not a respectable role model. AIBU to think the idea of men who are older retraining into teaching roles isn't going to magically reverse this and may indeed make it worse? This violent behaviour against women clearly spans all ages and the right wing authoritarians in particular. Does anyone know how men are still getting hold of crossbows after Labour were supposed to be banning them? Is anyone else becoming increasingly worried about the growing threat these men are posing to women out in public?

Most murdered women are murdered by men.
Left wing, right wing and in-between.
Christian, Hindu and Muslim.
All colours and creed.

It is unfair to say Reform and Andrew Tate lot.
It makes me think you are posting in bad faith.
I could tell you many ghastly and high profile murders committed by men who do not fit that description.

In Scotland 3 women are murdered a week. Usually by men.

Original poster
SmegmaCausesBV · 29/04/2025 21:45

I saw that thread about the accident and man demanding money too and felt the same. When a guy drove in to me he was so angry he actually followed me home - I didn't realise until I was getting DC out of the car he was paused at the end of my driveway in his car staring up at me! It was all very intimidating (that was years ago but I do see men driving as very angry generally).

I don't know why it is unreasonable to think men in teaching may not do what we are hoping they will do. So far male role models have not done the job, so why are we expecting teachers to take this on and automatically know how to de-program the Reform/Andrew Tate lot?

OP posts:
Poppyseeds79 · 29/04/2025 21:35

Fortunately not all men are arseholes. Does seem to be a creeping shift in some who expect women to just accommodate their whims.

I was sat minding my own business in the station on my commute early evening yesterday. Drunk man a couple of seats down tried to strike up a conversation (garbled pissed ramble). When I declined he started spouting off saying I was rude, and ignorant. To top it off he grabbed my shopping bag to get a reaction 🫠

I'm not saying it's anything like the Leeds incident of course! But just low level threatening/arrogant/intrusive behavior is still crap.

sunights · 29/04/2025 21:26

OP you ask several AIBUs here.

YABU that mid life men retraining as teachers might make things worse.

Young males desperately need role models.

mumofoneAlonebutokay · 29/04/2025 21:16

Its all so stressful and I feel so fearful

Misogyny is going nowhere unfortunately and I've found that as a single mum, I'm deemed as fair game for men's weird behaviour.

So silly that crossbows are still legal. The legal system is slow but I've no idea why they weren't outlawed years ago.

I was saying on another thread that a woman should protect herself from some man demanding money from her over a car crash. My first thought was, well he might be a monster who wants to harm you, and it's so sad that, instead of society improving, I'm feeling more fearful than I was before.

Society is moving to the right, and we'rw gonna see things worsen for women. Terrifying times. x

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