MPS consider role of porn in assaults

‘We want to find out why it happens, what the Government is doing to root it out and what more can be done’

MPS will investigate whether pornography is leading to a rise in assaults and harassment of women in public.

The Women and Equalities Select Committee today starts to gather evidence about harassment experienced by females on the street, on public transport and in bars and clubs.

As well as seeking to identify the reasons why such incidents happen, the committee will see if there is any link between harmful attitudes to women and behaviour such as paying for sex or watching pornography. Maria Miller, who will chair the committee, said: “We know that sexual harassment can be experienced by anyone, but the evidence shows that it is overwhelmingly a problem perpetrated by men and boys against women and girls.”

She added that the committee was concerned the problem seemed to be routine yet received scant attention in public policy.

“We want to find out why it happens, what the Government is doing to root it out and what more can be done,” she said. The committee’s plan to establish what measures can be taken to prevent and respond to sexual harassment of females in public places will include an in-depth look at what the police, local authorities and other bodies are doing to tackle the problem.

MPS will consider whether existing laws to stop harassment are sufficient and if they are being properly enforced.

The committee’s new brief comes after it held a one-off evidence session last month on women’s experiences of everyday sexism and harassment.

Research published by Yougov in 2016 revealed that 85 per cent of women aged 18 to 24 had experienced unwanted sexual attention in public.