Thank you for contacting me about misogyny directed against women and girls.
Like many across the country, I was deeply shocked and saddened by the death of Sarah Everard. My thoughts continue to be with her family and loved ones at this devastating time. Sarah’s death brought into sharp and tragic relief the concerns that many women have about their safety in public spaces, particularly when it comes to sexual harassment.
I completely agree that all misogyny and harassment of women, including in public places, is totally unacceptable. No one should be forced to change the way they live to avoid harassment and abuse. That is why, alongside colleagues in Parliament, I put my name to amendments to Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill that would make street harassment and kerb crawling criminal offences. It is high time that both of these offences – ones that too many women have experienced – are made explicitly illegal.
It is welcome that the Government has announced that on an experimental basis, police forces will be asked to identify and record any crimes of violence against the person, including stalking and harassment, as well as sexual offences where the victim perceives it to have been motivated by a hostility based on their sex. I understand that Ministers will shortly begin the consultation with the National Police Chiefs’ Council and forces on this with a view to commencing the experimental collection of data from this autumn.
You may be aware of the wide-ranging Law Commission review into hate crime which is already underway. This work has a particular focus on determining whether sex or gender should be added to hate crime law. I will follow the review’s conclusions very closely and will expect the Government to do the same.
I also welcome the new Voyeurism (Offences) Act, which criminalises the reprehensible behaviour of upskirting. There can now be no doubt that this activity is criminal and will not be tolerated. For the most serious offences, this law will ensure that the offender is also placed on the sex offenders register.
There is of course always more work to do and it is therefore good news that the Home Secretary has appointed Nimco Ali as an Independent Adviser on Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls. Nimco Ali will advise the Home Secretary and other ministers on the government’s new Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy. It is welcome that Ministers will be bringing forward the new strategy this year.
You may welcome the fact that the Government reopened a call for evidence to further collect views from those with lived experience of, or views on, crimes considered as violence against women and girls. The consultation previously ran for 10 weeks from December to February. It will now remain open until 26 March 2021 and I would encourage you to take part.
There is more to do, and I remain committed to working hard to ensure we do all we can to protect women and girls from intimidation, harassment and violence.
