"No Offence, But...": How to have difficult conversations for meaningful change

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To date, the behaviour has been successfully prosecuted under the offence of Outraging Public Decency. The Voyeurism Act outlaws ‘upskirting’ where the purpose is to obtain sexual gratification, or to cause humiliation, distress or alarm. This includes instances where culprits say images were just taken ‘for a laugh’ or when paparazzi are caught taking intrusive images.

A summary conviction will carry a sentence of up to 1 year in prison and/or a fine. And a more serious offence, tried in the Crown Court, would carry a sentence of up to 2 years in prison. As of today (12 April 2019) ‘upskirting’ offenders can be arrested and sent to prison as a new law banning the invasive practice comes into force across England and Wales.We have always been clear – there are no excuses for this behaviour and offenders should feel the full force of the law. From today, they will. The criminal offence of ‘upskirting’ was created under the Voyeurism Act when it received Royal Assent in February. Police and prosecutors have now updated their guidance to ensure the law is properly enforced – with offenders facing up to 2 years in jail and being placed on the sex offenders register. In this livestreamed and interactive event, Martin will be joined by two of the book’s contributors - Ben Hurst from Beyond Equality, and writer Cathy Reay - to dissect the most frustrating phrases and share what we can all do to have positive conversations for meaningful change. You will also have the opportunity to share your own questions and comments in this livestreamed event.

Beyond Equality also provide teacher training to help teachers at the frontline in the fight against gender-based violence and misogyny. Currently, ‘upskirting’ does not go unpunished in England and Wales, and there have been successful prosecutions under the Outraging Public Decency (OPD) offence.Gina Martin is a gender equality campaigner, speaker and writer whose work focuses on gender, misogyny and sexual violence. Her book, No Offence, But … is published on 27 July FInd out more about what this new law means: read ‘Upskirting’ now a specific crime as bill receives Royal Assent. Beyond Equality is an organisation that educates men to preventing gender-based violence, conducting workshops in schools and universities. A report from UN Women UK has shown that 71 per cent of women of all ages have experienced some form of sexual harassment in a public space.