Breastfeed voyeurs could face jail under Govt plans
PEOPLE who take pictures of breastfeeding mothers without consent could face up to two years in jail under plans to change the law.
Domestic abuse victims will also be given more time to go to the police as part of amendments to the Police, Crime Sentencing and Courts Bill put forward by the Government this week.
The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) said “taking non-consensual photographs or video recordings of breastfeeding mothers” would be made a “specific” breastfeeding voyeurism offence punishable by up to two years in prison and covering “situations where the motive is to obtain sexual gratification, or to cause humiliation, distress or alarm”.
The decision comes after Labour MP Stella Creasy was photographed breastfeeding her baby on public transport.
Justice Secretary Dominic Raab said “no new mum should be harassed in this way”. Creating the specific offence gives “police and prosecutors the clarity and powers they need to ensure perpetrators face justice”, the MOJ added.
Meanwhile, Domestic Abuse Commissioner Nicole Jacobs welcomed another amendment being made to the Bill which confirms plans to give victims in England and Wales more time to report assaults in a bid to stop abusers evading justice.
The time limit on common assault cases is currently six months, meaning a prosecution has to be brought to court within that time frame from the date of the alleged offence. That could be extended to two years.
Campaigners have argued police should be given more time to be able to bring charges as cases involving domestic abuse can be complex and victims can be reluctant to come forward.
MORE than 150 crimes of flashing and sexual voyeurism were reported to police in Staffordshire last year – but in seven out of 10 cases the offender got off without any punishment.
However, many of those accused of exposure and voyeurism never have to answer for their crime in a court of law.
There were 157 crimes of exposure and voyeurism recorded in our area in 2020/21.
That was a 12 per cent fall on the 179 offences the previous year.
However, many more crimes of this nature may have been committed, because research shows that the overwhelming majority of victims do not report sexual offences.
Voyeurism includes crimes such as ‘upskirting’ – when an offender attempts to record an image beneath another person’s clothing without their consent – and of watching a private act for the purpose of sexual gratification without consent.
Exposure is when someone intentionally exposes their genitals with the intent of causing harm or distress.
These offences carry a maximum penalty of two years in prison.
In Staffordshire, Stoke-on-trent saw the most offences – with 36 of these crimes recorded in the area last year.
Of the total 157 offences committed across Staffordshire, investigations were completed in 107 cases without anyone receiving any form of punishment – either because of a lack of a suspect, difficulties with evidence, or because investigation or prosecution was not deemed in the public interest.
That means nearly seven out of 10 offenders (68 per cent) got off scot free. Of those who were punished, only seven (four per cent of all offenders) were charged or received a court summons.
Two offenders received an out of court sanction, such as a formal caution or a penalty notice, and the responsibility for investigating two cases has been transferred to another authority. In the remaining 39 cases, an outcome has yet to be assigned.
Mary Morgan, a scholar and expert in body politics focusing on the eradication of violence against women and rape culture from our society, said: “It sadly comes as no surprise that the justice system and our society as a whole lets down women yet again.
“The fact that the majority of victims of indecent exposure will not receive justice, and that offenders will likely walk away without even a slap on the wrist, shows the grim reality that women live in.”
Siobhan Blake, national lead for rape and serious sexual offences prosecutions for the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “The offences of voyeurism and indecent exposure are alarming offences and demonstrate disturbing patterns of behaviour.
“The CPS takes these offences extremely seriously and will not hesitate to prosecute any cases referred to us that meet our legal test.
“We encourage anyone who is a victim or witness of either offence to immediately report it to the police.”
The CPS takes these offences extremely seriously and will not hesitate to prosecute.
Siobhan Blake