PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Sexual Harassment (2 November 2021)

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to page 70 of the Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy, published in July 2021, what steps her Department is taking to identify gaps in existing legislation on public sexual harassment; and if she will set out the terms of reference for conducting such a review.

Asked by:
Marsha De Cordova (Labour)

Sexual harassment in public places is an appalling practice, which the Government is absolutely committed to tackling. It is not acceptable that so many women and girls do not feel safe on our streets as a result of this behaviour.

As set out in the Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy, the Government is looking carefully at where there may be gaps in existing law and how a specific offence for public sexual harassment could address those. This is a complex area, and it is important that we take the time to ensure that any potential legislation is proportionate and reasonably defined. We will publish updates on this work in due course.

The Tackling VAWG Strategy also sets out the non-legislative work which the Government is taking in this area. A national communications campaign will challenge this type of behaviour, and ensure victims know how and where to report it. We will ensure police and prosecutors are confident about how to respond to public sexual harassment, and as such the College of Policing will provide new guidance for police officers and the Crown Prosecution Service will update its legal guidance on public order offences to add specific information on public sexual harassment. And to prevent this behaviour from happening in the first place, we will deepen our understanding of who commits these crimes, why they do so, and how it may escalate, for example through our new funding for what works to tackle violence against women and girls.

Answered by:
Rachel Maclean (Conservative)
10 November 2021