Britain: Upskirting to become criminal offense after woman's relentless campaign
The lawmakers in Britain have backed a legislation to make upskirting- the act of secretly taking pictures up women's skirts, a criminal offense punishable with up to two years in prison. Women rights activists have been pressing for a change in the law for a long time, but after ignoring the pleas, the British Parliament has finally listened. The campaign was spearheaded by Gina Martin.
Meet Gina, whose sour experience led her to speak up
Last year, two men clicked photographs of Gina Martin at a music festival in London. The 26-year-old writer was told by the police that they couldn't prosecute the men as she was wearing an underwear and that upskirting was not illegal. She had even snatched their phone and showed it to the authorities. Led down by the state, Martin started an online petition to make upskirting a criminal offense.
During campaign, Martin received many sexist comments
In an article for Refinery29, Martin revealed the responses she got, after the campaign was launched, were outright sexist. Many people told her she should have worn trousers. "I should have worn trousers. On a 30 degree day, in summer," she wrote sarcastically, as she questioned why she was blamed for the traumatic experience. She even received rape threats but refused to back down.
Girls as young as 10 became victims to upskirting
Member of Parliament, Wera Hobhouse tabled The Voyeurism (Offenses) Bill 2017-19, which will make upskirting a sexual offense. Reportedly, girls as young as 10-years-old became victims of their obscene pictures being taken. But in the absence of a law, police couldn't record such incidents. Out of the 78 incidents reported, suspects were charged with crimes in only 11 cases, claim media reports.
After government's backing, everyone cheers on
Wera Hobhouse said they made a case for common sense. "Now if someone is to fall victim to upskirting, the law will recognise them as the victim," Hobhouse added. Welcoming the government's backing Martin said, "Now -- hopefully -- we can get access to justice for all victims because the politicians listened." An activist said this upskirting was devastating and humiliating for the victim.
