Petition · past parliament · Home Office
Make it an offence to intentionally view pornographic material in a public place
Closed
125 signatures
What the petition asks
The Sexual Offences Act 2003 needs updating to reflect the development of technology that has made it easier to view pornographic material in a public place. A person should not have to be exposed to such material that may make them feel unsafe, unwelcome, degraded or threatened in a public place.
Whilst there is currently a common law offence of outraging public decency, this is problematic because a prosecution depends on a moral view which is overly subjective and lacking in the clarity that the rule of law requires.
We believe the best way to develop modern sexual offences is to repeal offences that rely on ‘indecency” and replace them with specific criminal offences - including one making intentionally view pornographic material in a public place a specific criminal offence.
This process would allow Parliament to debate and decide what specific behaviours ought to be classified as criminal.
We believe the best way to develop modern sexual offences is to repeal offences that rely on ‘indecency” and replace them with specific criminal offences - including one making intentionally view pornographic material in a public place a specific criminal offence.
This process would allow Parliament to debate and decide what specific behaviours ought to be classified as criminal.
Timeline
| 13 May 2022 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 27 Nov 2022 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
125
Status
Closed
Department
Home Office
Opened
13 May 2022
Closed
27 Nov 2022
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.