• News
  • Life
  • TV & Film
  • Beauty
  • Style
  • Home
  • News
    • Celebrity
    • Entertainment
    • Politics
    • Royal Family
  • Life
    • Animals
    • Food & Drink
    • Women's Health
    • Mental Health
    • Sex & Relationships
    • Travel
    • Real Life
  • TV & Film
    • True Crime
    • Documentaries
    • Netflix
    • BBC
    • ITV
    • Tyla Recommends
  • Beauty
    • Hair
    • Make-up
    • Skincare
  • Style
    • Home
    • Fashion
    • Shopping
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
Submit Your Content
Sexual harassers in the street will now be jailed under new law

Home> News

Published 16:37 9 Dec 2022 GMT

Sexual harassers in the street will now be jailed under new law

This will make UK streets safer

Emma Guinness

Emma Guinness

A new law is being introduced in a bid to stop sexual harassment taking place on UK streets.

The new bill, which is being supported by the government, will make public sexual harassment a criminal offence.

This means that if a person gets sexually harassed on the street, the perpetrator could face up to two years behind bars.

The new legislation will make Britain's streets safer.
Alamy / Rommel Canlas

Advert

However, it is worth noting that this legislation is aimed at serious offences like obscene sexual comments and driving slowly next to someone - as opposed to wolf-whistling or other similar misdemeanours.

While public sexual harassment is illegal, this new bill from by ex-Cabinet Minister Greg Clark will make it a specific offence for the first time.

The law will be a welcome move for many following the notorious killing of Sarah Everard, who was taken from the street, in 2020.

Sarah Everard was killed while walking home.
Alamy / Guy Corbishley

Advert

While attempts had previously been made to introduce this legislation, they were reportedly blocked by Boris Johnson's government.

Nimco Ali, an independent advisor to the Home Office, said there was 'pushback', despite the majority of respondents describing the issue as a 'widespread problem' in a survey.

The Home Secretary Suella Braverman 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."

British Transport Police Assistant Chief Constable Charlie Doyle added: "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.

Advert

"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."

People who sexually harass in public could be jailed for two years.
Alamy / I-Wei Huang

Downing Street, meanwhile, said that introducing legislation in this area is a 'priority'.

Advert

The PM's deputy spokesman said: "You've heard the PM speak on a number of occasions on the importance of tackling this issue and making sure the streets are safe and that we do everything we can to tackle violence and harassment against women and girls which is why we are supporting this bill."

The Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper added: "Labour has consistently pushed the Government to introduce this new offence to protect women and girls, so we welcome the announcement today.

"Any action to tackle the epidemic of violence against women and girls is welcome, but the Government must now go further and faster."

Featured Image Credit: Benjamin John / US Marshals / Alamy Stock Photo

Topics: News

Emma Guinness
Emma Guinness

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • Prince George could be forced to partake in ‘gruesome’ centuries-old royal tradition over the summer
  • Prince George will be separated from Prince William and Princess Charlotte under sad royal ban in just a matter of months
  • Hidden detail in Meghan Markle's new website hints that her name change will be lasting a while
  • This woman probably lives rent free in your head right now despite nobody knowing her name

Choose your content:

6 hours ago
8 hours ago
9 hours ago
  • 6 hours ago

    Donald Trump has savage response to Stephen Colbert’s late show being axed as he makes claim about 'who is next'

    The US president took to Truth Social and didn't hold back

    News
  • 8 hours ago

    Chilling mystery as mum and kids are found living inside cave surrounded by snakes

    On 9 July, Indian police found Nina Kutina, 40, and her young daughters living in a remote forest cave

    News
  • 9 hours ago

    People think King Charles is ‘trolling’ Donald Trump after fans spot suspicious detail in president’s trip to the UK

    The American president will arrive in the UK in September for his second state visit

    News
  • 9 hours ago

    Secret meaning behind Meghan Markle’s cryptic post revealed by Oprah after she ‘mocked’ new surname

    Oprah Winfrey shed some light on the hilarious story behind the Duchess' Instagram post

    News