Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Public Sexual Harassment: Legislation

Wednesday 24 November 2021 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial assurances were given regarding discussions with campaigners on public sexual harassment.
  • The Minister highlighted the horrific nature of drink spiking and needle spiking, mentioning steps led by the Home Secretary.
  • Improvements in forensic provision and public awareness regarding spiking crimes were urged by a Member of Parliament.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Wera Hobhouse Lib Dem Bath
Women & Equalities Mental Health
Context

66% of young women and girls experience public sexual harassment, affecting their confidence, self-esteem, and mental health.

Question

Some 66% of young women and girls experience public sexual harassment, which has a huge impact on their confidence, their self-esteem and their mental health. It makes them feel unsafe and uncomfortable wearing, doing or saying things in public spaces. Therefore, we should make public sexual harassment a specific criminal offence. Will the Minister meet me and campaigners who want to see that happen, and look at a way forward on this serious issue?

Answer from Rachel Maclean

I can assure the hon. Lady that we are taking the views of campaigners on board, and I and other Ministers meet with them regularly. As I have said, we are looking at whether there may be some specific legislative gaps, but it will always be a pleasure for me to meet her.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not confirm meeting campaigners or committing to making public sexual harassment a specific criminal offence.

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Q2 Wera Hobhouse Lib Dem Bath
Crime & Law Enforcement Women & Equalities
Context

There has been an increase in spikings affecting women and girls in south Wales.

Question

I thank the Minister for her response, but what specific discussions has she had on the recent increase in spikings that has unfortunately affected women and girls in south Wales?

Answer from Rachel Maclean

I thank my hon. Friend for raising this issue on behalf of young women and girls in his constituency. Drink spiking and needle spiking are horrific and frightening offences, and we are taking steps, led by the Home Secretary herself, working with Maggie Blyth, the chief of police leading the response to violence against women and girls across police forces, to ramp up our response and tackle them effectively.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide specific details about discussions regarding spikings in south Wales.

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Q3 Jamie Wallis
Crime & Law Enforcement NHS
Context

Spiking is a serious assault that often leads to further violence, requiring urgent improvement in forensic provision.

Question

The Minister says that spiking is frightening, but it is actually assault and often leads to further violence. The Government must look urgently at improving forensic provision in healthcare so that we can identify the perpetrators and boost public awareness of the risk of that horrific crime. How will she work with the Home Office and the Department of Health and Social Care to tackle the threats of spiking?

Answer from Rachel Maclean

The hon. Lady is right to draw attention to the prevalence of spiking, which is why the Home Secretary is leading on action, via the Home Office and with other Government colleagues across the board, to ensure that we have an effective response. I draw the attention of the hon. Member for Coventry North West (Taiwo Owatemi) to the specific funding that the Home Office has put into the safety of women at night fund, which provides drink spiking detection kits and specific training for security staff so that women and young girls going out at night into the night-time economy can feel safe to have a good time, as we all want them to.

Answered
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