Make public sexual harrasment a criminal offence

Rejected 21 signatures

What the petition asks

Like 90% of women in the UK, I have faced street harassment. Women and girls should feel safe walking the streets at anytime, with the confidence that the law protects them. However, there is no specific law against public sexual harassment. It makes us feel powerless, objectified, hurt, and angry.

I was first harassed in the streets at age 11, in my school uniform. Hearing that many others go through the same leaves me feeling helpless. Fear is a constant state for females. Public sexual harassment (PSH) is a threatening experience. Studies conducted show that public sexual harassment has long-term emotional and psychological harm. This new law would be a great step to tackle inequality and keep women safe. France has shown that criminalising street harassment works.

Why it was rejected

There was already a petition about this issue. Duplicates are rejected so signatures collect in one place.

You may wish to sign this petition calling for the same action: Make sexual harassment a specific criminal offence

Sexual harassment could already be treated as an offence under various criminal offences, and if you have been the victim of a crime you should contact the police here: https://www.police.uk/contact/

Timeline

13 Mar 2021	Petition opened for signatures
22 Mar 2021	Rejected by the Petitions Committee

Key facts

Signatures 21

Status Rejected

Rejected 22 Mar 2021

Follow this petition