Landmark bill to tackle public sexual harassment will become law

Today (September 18), the Protection from Sex-Based Harassment in Public Bill passed its third and final reading in the House of Lords. The Bill – which sends the strong message that public sexual harassment is never acceptable by introducing tougher sentences for certain types of harassment - will now receive Royal Assent and become law.

The successful passing of the Bill follows a three year campaign by Plan International UK and Our Streets Now to criminalise public sexual harassment. Launched in 2020, the #CrimeNotCompliment campaign amassed tens of thousands of supporters and led to the introduction of the Bill to Parliament.

This comes as new polling by Plan International UK shows that only one in twenty girls aged 12- 21 (5%) say they feel completely safe in public spaces1, showing why today’s legislation is so urgently needed.

Following the Bill’s third reading today, Rose Caldwell, Chief Executive at Plan International UK said:

“This landmark legislation represents a huge milestone in the fight for women and girls’ rights in the UK. Public sexual harassment has a devastating impact on girls’ lives, often starting from a very young age, and this Bill sends a powerful message that this behaviour simply isn’t acceptable. 

“We have only been able to reach this point thanks to the tireless campaigning of girls and youth activists across the country, involving thousands of letters to MPs, over half a million petition signatures, and representations at the highest levels of Government. Thanks to their efforts, the issue of public sexual harassment is finally being taken seriously by those in power.

“We also welcome the fact that many MPs have listened to young people, including Greg Clark MP who tabled this Bill in Parliament.

“Despite this momentous achievement, our fight doesn’t end here, and we will be watching carefully how the Bill is implemented to ensure that girls are given the route to justice they have been promised.

“A lot of work still needs to be done, but this legislation is a hugely significant step towards stamping out public sexual harassment and ultimately making our streets safer for girls and women.” 

Elodie, Plan International Youth Advisory Panel member said:

“Following the bill’s third reading, I feel proud to have been part of creating national change and relieved that young people’s voices are finally not just being listened to but acted on.

“Hearing countless other people’s experiences of public sexual harassment showed me that I was not alone in thinking this degrading treatment should not be the norm. It was impossible not to support the #CrimeNotCompliment Campaign to help myself and others across the UK. I felt the simple act of emailing my MP was the least I could do and, amazingly, it spiralled into this bill being passed.

“Although we are one step closer to a world without public sexual harassment, there is more work to be done to educate and change people’s behaviours. I hope this bill puts a spotlight on that message and shows that it is time to take public sexual harassment seriously.”

-Ends-

Plan International UK Press Office

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Email: [email protected] Web: plan-uk.org/media-centre

Notes to editors:

1. About the polling:

Research was conducted in May to July of this year

Polling covered a nationally representative sample of 2963 girls aged 12-21