Overview

The Voyeurism (Offences) Bill aims to strengthen the law on voyeurism in England and Wales by criminalizing the act of operating equipment or recording images under someone's clothing without their consent, for sexual gratification or to humiliate, distress, or alarm the victim.

Description

This bill amends the Sexual Offences Act 2003. It creates two new offences under Section 67A:

• Offence 1: Operating equipment (e.g., a camera) under someone's clothing without consent to observe their genitals or buttocks, or the underwear covering them, for sexual gratification or to humiliate, distress or alarm the victim.
• Offence 2: Recording an image under someone's clothing of their genitals or buttocks, or the underwear covering them, without consent, intending for someone to view the image for sexual gratification or to humiliate, distress, or alarm the victim.

The bill defines "operating equipment" to include enabling or securing its activation by another person without that person’s knowledge. Penalties for these offences include up to 12 months imprisonment on summary conviction or up to 2 years on indictment. The bill applies only to offences committed after it comes into force and extends to England and Wales only.

Government Spending

The bill does not directly specify any changes to government spending. The costs associated with enforcing the new legislation, including potential increases in court cases and police investigations, would need further assessment.

Groups Affected

This bill will primarily affect:

• Victims of upskirting and similar non-consensual acts: The bill provides increased legal protection for individuals subjected to these invasive acts.
• Perpetrators of upskirting and similar non-consensual acts: They will face prosecution under the new offences.
• Law enforcement agencies: They will be responsible for enforcing the new legislation.
• The Judiciary: They will be involved in prosecuting and sentencing offenders under the amended law.

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