Youth campaigners respond to reports Government are blocking new public sexual harassment law

Campaigners calling for public sexual harassment to be made a crime have responded to reports from Government advisor Nimco Ali that members of the Government are blocking new harassment legislation. 

The Government have committed to a public consultation before summer recess to determine whether public sexual harassment should be made a specific criminal offence after thousands of women and girls signed petitions and shared their experiences of harassment. However, Justice Secretary Dominic Raab appeared to rule out a new law this morning. 

Kathleen Spencer Chapman, Head of Policy, Advocacy and Research at global girl's rights’ organisation Plan International UK said,

"It’s essential that the Government keep their promise to do a full public consultation on a new harassment law. Thousands of women and girls are facing public sexual harassment every day – they are being followed, shouted at, groped and exposed to unwanted sexual advances. Girls have had enough - their voices must be listened to."

Maya Tutton, Co-founder of Our Streets Now said,

“The Government have promised both a review into gaps in legislation and a public consultation on the issue of public sexual harassment. Now we see prominent figures in the Government suggesting that our law will be blocked. In doing so, they are failing to listen to; the thousands of women, girls and people of marginalised genders who have shared their experiences with Government; the overwhelming public support for this issue; and the clear expert recommendations on this, from the Law Commission to leading human rights lawyers.”