Wolf whistling and catcalling could be made a crime under government plans to outlaw ‘public sexual harassment’.
A strategy to combat violence against women and girls unveiled today will pave the way for a specific offence of public sexual harassment, banning explicit sexual and abusive comments.
Following the uproar sparked by the abduction and murder of Sarah Everard by Scotland Yard officer Wayne Couzens, the Home Secretary received 180,000 responses to a call for comments about crimes that disproportionately affect women.
Today Priti Patel will unveil plans for a national police lead officer to combat violence against women and girls, ensuring offences such as indecent exposure – which Couzens was previously accused of – and street harassment are taken more seriously.
The minister will also appoint two ‘violence against women and girls transport champions’ to help protect female passengers on buses and trains. A new independent reviewer is also to look at the management of registered sex offenders and find new ways to identify serial sex offenders.
