Rejected petition Make public sexual harrasment a criminal offence

Like 90% of women in the UK, I have faced street harassment. Women and girls should feel safe walking the streets at anytime, with the confidence that the law protects them. However, there is no specific law against public sexual harassment. It makes us feel powerless, objectified, hurt, and angry.

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I was first harassed in the streets at age 11, in my school uniform. Hearing that many others go through the same leaves me feeling helpless. Fear is a constant state for females. Public sexual harassment (PSH) is a threatening experience. Studies conducted show that public sexual harassment has long-term emotional and psychological harm. This new law would be a great step to tackle inequality and keep women safe. France has shown that criminalising street harassment works.

This petition was rejected

Why was this petition rejected?

There’s already a petition about this issue. We cannot accept a new petition when we already have one about a very similar issue.

You are more likely to get action on this issue if you sign and share a single petition.

You may wish to sign this petition calling for the same action: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/578940

Sexual harassment could already be treated as an offence under various criminal offences, and if you have been the victim of a crime you should contact the police here: https://www.police.uk/contact/

We only reject petitions that don’t meet the petition standards.

Date submitted 13 March 2021
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