Public sexual harassment will be made a specific offence through
government-backed legislation returning to Parliament today
[Friday 9 December]
A wide range of experts were consulted over the summer on
introducing a specific offence. The vast majority considered
public sexual harassment to be a widespread problem.
The consultation showed the need for a specific offence to make
the laws surrounding public harassment clearer to both the public
and the police. Despite public sexual harassment already
being illegal, the introduction of a specific offence will
encourage women to report to the police, as well as emphasising
the severity of the crime.
After careful consideration, the government is supporting
legislation brought forward by MP which introduces harsher
sentences if someone who deliberately harasses, alarms, or
distresses someone in a public place does so because of the
victim’s sex, with the maximum sentence increasing from six
months to two years.
Home Secretary said:
Every woman should feel safe to walk our streets without fear of
harassment or violence. And that is why we are supporting this
bill to introduce a specific offence on public sexual harassment.
It’s a complex issue and we’ve carefully considered the
arguments, taking into account a range of views.
We are putting the needs of victims at the heart of our decision,
which will mean the criminals who commit these acts face the
consequences they deserve.
British Transport Police Assistant Chief Constable Charlie Doyle,
said:
No woman should be subjected to harassment or intimidation as
they travel and we will always welcome any extra help in bringing
more offenders to justice.
We have always taken reports of sexual harassment extremely
seriously, however I hope the proposed legislation will reinforce
our clear message to perpetrators that it simply won’t be
tolerated.
We know that all forms of sexual harassment are under-reported to
police and I hope this increased awareness will encourage more
victims to come forward and tell us about what’s happened to
them.
The government response to the
consultation has been published here, which confirms the
commitment to pursuing new legislation which builds on the
intentional ‘harass, alarm, distress’ definition of harassment
first established in law in the Criminal Justice and Public
Order Act 1994.
The new legislation supports the government’s commitment to
tackling violence against women and girls, and follows earlier
action to help tackle these crimes in public spaces, including
public sexual harassment.
Government action also includes new guidance for the police and
prosecutors on sexual harassment; investing £125 million through
the Safer Streets and Safety of Women at Night Funds; the
StreetSafe tool which allows women to report directly to the
police on areas where they have felt unsafe; and the
ground-breaking ‘Enough’ communications campaign, which helps the
public to safely play their part in stopping abuse.
Notes to editors
- The change will provide that if an offence is committed under
existing section 4A Public Order Act 1986 (intentionally causing
someone harassment, alarm or distress), and is done because of
the victim’s sex, then they can get the higher maximum sentence
of two years, when previously the maximum was six months.
