Havant sexual violence campaigner backs calls to make upskirting a crime

A CAMPAIGNER tackling sexual violence against women has backed a bid to make upskirting a crime.
Shonagh DillonShonagh Dillon
Shonagh Dillon

Shonagh Dillon, chief executive of Havant-based domestic abuse charity Aurora New Dawn, spoke out after new figures on the act were published.

Currently people caught using a camera to snap photos of unsuspecting women can face justice for decency or voyeurism offences.

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Campaigners say existing laws for voyeurism, public decency and public order do not provide enough scope for a conviction, with many victims concerned about access to justice.

As reported, school caretaker Barry Gillespie, 53, from the Isle of Wight was caught in Gunwharf Quays taking photos of women in various shops.

Yesterday the Press Association said 15 police forces had only made 11 charges related to upskirting since 2015.

Shonagh said: ‘The reason I think it should be made a criminal offence is because it’s a huge invasion to someone’s privacy and it has connotations of sexual violence.

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‘What would concern me the most is what that behaviour may lead on to.’

One of Gillespie’s victims was targeted at work. She previously said: ‘The level of perversion women go through on a daily basis – we want to feel safe at work but to have that taken away from us is awful.’

The government said the law around upskirting is ‘under review’.