Wera Hobhouse has revealed further details of her bill to outlaw upskirting. Offenders could end up with 2 years in prison.
Liberal Democrat MP Wera Hobhouse, who tabled the Bill, said changing the current law to make it easier to prosecute would allow the law to “catch up with technology”.
It could also mean that members of the paparazzi would be prosecuted for taking shots of celebrities where their underwear is deliberately shown
The move comes after data published by the Press Association last month revealed girls as young as ten among the alleged victims who have been targeted in public locations such as restaurants and festivals….
…Ms Hobhouse said: “It is, on the face of it, a vile, discriminating and outrageous practice. I personally have not – fortunately – had this unpleasant experience, but it is just outrageous, it is humiliating for anybody who has that happen to them and it has a deep impact on them.”It is so obviously in your face a wrong thing and yet our law has not kept up with this practice.”
Wera is asking supporters to contact their MP to ask them to support her Bill:
Thank you for such a positive response to my bill to make upskirting a specific criminal offence. Let's keep the pressure up. Retweet this and tag your MP to let them know that the law needs to be changed. #StopSkirtingTheIssue #upskirting @beaniegigi pic.twitter.com/FIHwLmOQyO
— Wera Hobhouse MP (@Wera_Hobhouse) March 7, 2018
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16 Comments
I thought we were in favour of reducing the prison population, not increasing it. Seen in isolation this measure may be worthy of support, but it’s playing into the hands of those who claim “prison works”.
Personally I would hit the villains where it hurst – in their pockets. Very large fines, confiscation of equipment, banning from the internet, extensive community service, plus attending appropriate classes to re-educate them about the rights of women.
I agree with Mick Taylor, plus curfew. We need to cut down the prison population
Isn’t the point though by making it likely to lead to prison they’re less likely to do it and in some cases it does work and should be used.
Part of the first post: “The move comes after data published by the Press Association last month revealed girls as young as ten among the alleged victims who have been targeted in public locations such as restaurants and festivals…”
A photograph of a ten year old as described in the Evening Standard would deliver time in the nick to anyone who distributed or looked at it. Shock, horror — there are laws against such things.
Wera Hobhouse: ”It is so obviously in your face a wrong thing and yet our law has not kept up with this practice.”
But law has kept up with the concept of upskirt photographs. Several hundred people have been prosecuted under different offences in recent years. The flexibility to prosecute for different offences — that sounds liberal to me.
@Jon82 I assume you’re a fan of Michael Howard.
Wera Hobhouse’s comments should be addressed to those who interpret law.
Do we need new laws given that people are prosecuted under existing law?
Can we create better new law?
Graham Evans., so do you believe in prison for anything?
@ John Marriott On an occasional basis I wear a kilt (daughter’s wedding etc.,). I do hope the new law extends to North of the border on a non discriminatory basis.
@David Raw
Unfortunately our fellow contributors will have no idea to what you are referring as my possibly crass attempt of humour was pulled (presumably by the editors) shortly after being posted! Perhaps I might have had more luck with Russia Today!
@John Marriott
“… possibly crass attempt of humour..”
You said it!
Sounds more like a Tory or Labour policy to me, we need less specific offences and mandatory sentences, not more.
@ John Marriott It’s the naughty step for you, Master John.
@David The UK prison population is well in excess of France and Germany, which either suggests we are either a far more lawless society, or our prison policy needs a major rethink. Which is it?
Is Stella Creasey MP ( Labour, Walthamstow) trying to amend this bill?
If she is trying to insert a consent loophole would she endanger the bill entirely?
What if a tennis player falls over at Wimbledon?
@Graham Evans – “The UK prison population is well in excess of France and Germany, which either suggests we are either a far more lawless society, or our prison policy needs a major rethink. Which is it?”
Or the UK has a less forgiving system…
I think we need a more thorough and objective comparison before any meaningful conclusions can be drawn, other than to ask why there is a significant difference.