Make ‘upskirting’ a sexual offence, says police boss
SECRETLY photographing women underneath their clothing – a practice known as upskirting – should become a specific sexual offence, says north Wales’ Police and Crime Commissioner.
Arfon Jones called on the UK Government to act “swiftly and decisively” to introduce new legislation to tackle the practice, which he described as a growing problem.
“As things stand, there is a gap in the law,” he said.“It is a classic example of misogyny in a public place and there is no room in society for this form of totally inappropriate behaviour.
“What makes things even worse is that the perpetrator often compounds these acts by uploading these images onto the internet.
“Voyeurism is already classed as an offence and there is no reason in my view why upskirting should not be treated in exactly the same way.
“By creating a specific sexual offence covering the practice of ‘upskirting’, we will be providing the police with more of the tools they need to help bring perpetrators of these appalling acts to justice.”
The UK Government is being urged to introduce legislation against upskirting in the forthcoming Courts Bill to update the Sexual Offences Act 2003.
The Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, of which Mr Jones is a member, has also spoken out against it.
“Making this a specific sexual offence would mean proper recognition of the intent of the perpetrator and the real distress and sense of violation caused to the victim,” said Mr Jones.
“In addition, it would allow for the range of sentencing and disposal options that are available in respect of sexual offences.
“Updating the law would also raise the public’s awareness of this deviant behaviour, give the police more clarity about what action they can take to purse prosecutions whilst at the same time it would send a clear message that these acts are totally unacceptable.
“Quite simply, this is sexual offending and should be treated as such.”
An online campaign by one victim, 25-year-old London writer Gina Martin, has already amassed more than 70,000 signatures.
Miss Martin wrote of her experience at a music festival when she confronted two men who were taking pictures of her and a friend without their permission.
“Two men were taking upskirt photos without me knowing,” she said.
“They sent them to each other and I saw it on one guy’s phone. I grabbed his phone and ran to security who called the police.
“After looking at the photos, confirming it was me and questioning him, they let us go.”
Miss Martin said police later told her they could not bring charges.
“I got a call five days later saying the case was closed and was told by the police ‘there’s not much we can do’ because ‘it’s not a graphic image’,” she said.