by iNews
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by iNews
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Victims of upskirting and downblousing – where someone surreptitiously takes an intimate photo using a mobile phone – now have full legal redress.
Perpetrators could face up to two years in prison and up to 10 years on the Sex Offenders Register.
Changes also include enhanced laws to deal with people who threaten to share private sexual images or impersonate children with the aim of grooming.
The offences are part of the Justice, Sexual Offences and Trafficking Victims Act 2022.
Det Supt Lindsay Fisher from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) welcomed the new legislation and said it sends “a clear message” that these behaviours will not be tolerated.
“I want to make it clear that anyone – any gender, any age – can be a victim of these crimes. However, we know from experience that the vast majority of those affected are sadly women and girls, who up until now have not felt able to come forward and report,” she said.
“Escalating violence against women and girls does not happen in a cultural vacuum.
“This legislation will go a long way to help address the prevailing sexist attitudes and behaviours in our society that underpin violence, abuse and intimidation against women and girls.”
The bill was brought forward by former justice minister Naomi Long.
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