Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Cyber-flashing

25 January 2022 · 4 other contributors · 3,278 words

Opened by Fay Jones Con Brecon and Radnorshire

Responding minister: Victoria Atkins

Crime & Law Enforcement

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Fay Jones raised concerns about cyber-flashing in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Ms Fay Jones raises concerns about cyber-flashing, citing that 48% of millennial women have received unsolicited sexual images.
  • Ms Jones urges the Government to include legislation against cyber-flashing in the Online Safety Bill.
  • The Government supports developing an offence criminalising cyber-flashing but emphasizes the need to ensure the law accurately reflects modern behaviour.

Key requests to Government

Ms Fay Jones urges the Government to include legislation against cyber-flashing in their Online Safety Bill to provide victims with a route to justice and hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Fay Jones Con Brecon and Radnorshire

Ms Fay Jones is concerned about the growing problem of cyber-flashing, which involves unsolicited sexual images sent through social media and in public places via Bluetooth or AirDrop. She cites statistics indicating that 48% of millennial women have received such images and one-third believe it has become part of online behaviour. Ms Jones argues that this act is intimidating, distressing, and can be a precursor to more serious acts of violence. She mentions the case of Sarah Everard's killer who was accused of flashing before committing his crime.

Other contributors (4)
  • Caroline Nokes Con Romsey and Southampton North

    My hon. Friend has done incredible work highlighting the seriousness of cyber-flashing, agreeing that it needs to be a specific criminal offence alongside public sexual harassment. Will the Minister reflect on the fact that it is not just campaigners but also the Law Commission who are calling for a change in the law regarding cyber-flashing.

  • Maria Miller

    I congratulate my hon. Friend on securing this important debate, urging the Minister to look at what is happening in Texas, California, New York, Virginia, and Wisconsin, which are adopting a consent-based approach when legislating for cyber-flashing.

  • Ruth Edwards

    I congratulate my hon. Friend on securing this debate and her fantastic campaign, expressing concern about the speed at which criminals exploit technology outpacing our legislative process for new sexual offences such as upskirting, threats to share intimate images, and cyber-flashing.

  • Siobhan Baillie

    I thank my hon. Friend for all her work, noting that most cyber-flashing is sent from anonymous accounts, highlighting the need to tackle anonymity online and be able to track perpetrators.

Government Response

Victoria Atkins

The Government supports the development of an offence criminalising cyber-flashing and is considering recommendations by the Law Commission. The Minister acknowledges the need for speed but emphasises the importance of getting the law right to reflect modern behaviour. She notes that existing offences may have practical difficulties, such as proving the identity of the perpetrator in a crowded space. According to the British Transport Police, reports of cyber-flashing increased from three in 2016 to 34 in 2018 and 66 in 2019. The Minister states that while legislation is under consideration, internet companies can act now to prevent this sort of behaviour.

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