Government Backs Tougher Laws on Sex-Based Harassment
The government has thrown its weight behind a new amendment to the Protection from Sex-Based Harassment in Public Bill. The move aims to make the law tougher and more effective against offenders.
Harsher Sentences and Clear Police Guidance
The legislation will ramp up maximum jail time for deliberate sex-based harassment in public from six months to two years. The amendment, pushed by bill sponsor Greg Clark MP, mandates the government to issue statutory guidance for police to enforce the offence properly.
MPs agreed the guidance should clarify the so-called “reasonable conduct” defence available to defendants. It will stress that what counts as “reasonable” is judged objectively — not by what the harasser claims.
Ministers and MPs Speak Out
Home Secretary Suella Braverman: “Women have the fundamental right to walk the streets without fear. I’m committed to making sure criminals who intimidate and harass them face the consequences.”
“We back this bill and the amendment requiring statutory guidance for police so the new laws work better.”
“The guidance will also clarify how the ‘reasonable conduct’ defence is interpreted to make the law as robust as possible.”
Greg Clark MP: “Too many women and girls feel unsafe on our streets, especially at night. They shouldn’t have to, yet most do — clutching keys in hand for protection.”
“My bill closes a legal loophole where harassment based on sex wasn’t its own offence, unlike harassment based on race. It will change the culture so abusing women publicly is as unacceptable as racial abuse.”
Next Steps
The government initially backed the bill in December 2022 after broad expert consultation showed a clear need for a specific sex-based harassment offence. This will clarify laws for both the public and police, encouraging more women to report public sexual harassment and stressing the seriousness of these crimes.
The bill has now passed all Commons stages and heads to the House of Lords for further scrutiny.
