APCC calls for upskirting to become specific sexual offence
Responding to news today that campaigners are calling for upskirting to made a criminal offence, APCC Victims Lead, Dame Vera Baird QC PCC said:
“Last August the APCC called for new legislation to tackle the invasive and appalling practice of upskirting and this latest police data once again highlights the need to take this forward.
“The Government’s imminent Victims Strategy provides the Ministry of Justice with a timely opportunity to set out its position on the action it intends to take to tackle this appalling practice and update the law to protect victims.”
APCC Deputy Victims Lead, Marc Jones PCC added:
“The APCC victim leads raised this issue with the Justice Secretary and Ministry of Justice officials in the summer and we would urge the Government to make upskirting a specific sexual offence. Doing so would provide the police with more of the tools they need to help bring perpetrators of these appalling acts to justice.
“An updated law would raise public consciousness around this issue, give police greater clarity over the tools available to pursue prosecutions and send a clear message that these acts are completely unacceptable.”
Please find the APCC’s previous press release from 8 August 2017 on this issue here.