Petition · past parliament
Make all unwanted online sexual communication a criminal offence
Closed
118 signatures
What the petition asks
The UK Government plan to criminalise cyber flashing. This does not protect other victims who receive unwanted sexual communications online. It is far too common and needs to be met with serious consequences, such as fine, custodial sentences, or being registered as a sex offender.
The proposed cyberflashing offence requires an offender to have intended to cause distress or obtain sexual gratification, which may be difficult to prove.
Instead we want a wider offence to cover all unwanted online sexual messages, including stalking, solicitation of sexual favours & sexting without mutual consent.
UK laws regarding sexual offences were written in a pre-internet time & the Government has a responsibility to update it for our current time. Many acts are illegal in person, but more needs to be done to protect people online.
Instead we want a wider offence to cover all unwanted online sexual messages, including stalking, solicitation of sexual favours & sexting without mutual consent.
UK laws regarding sexual offences were written in a pre-internet time & the Government has a responsibility to update it for our current time. Many acts are illegal in person, but more needs to be done to protect people online.
Timeline
| 1 Aug 2022 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 15 Feb 2023 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
118
Status
Closed
Opened
1 Aug 2022
Closed
15 Feb 2023
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.