News24.com | WATCH: Upskirting becomes illegal - the key questions

WATCH: Upskirting becomes illegal - the key questions

2019-04-12 17:34
A woman in a mini skirt. (Gallo Images/Getty Images)

A woman in a mini skirt. (Gallo Images/Getty Images)

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Upskirting is the practice of taking photographs under a woman's skirt or dress without her consent or even without her knowledge. it is viewed as sexually intrusive and a infringes on their dignity.

Women around the world have become victim of this form of sexual harassment.

It is a criminal offence now a criminal offence in England and Wales. The offender may face up to two years in prison and could be placed on the sex offenders register if convicted, according to The Star Online.

Scotland, on the other hand, has had its own law for over a decade.

In previous years, any person who fell victim to this cruel and intrusive act could report it and explore the option of conviction for voyeurism, publich disorder, or indecency.

Unfortunately, campaigners say this was inadequate and not always successful.

It failed to reflect the sexual nature of the offence, and the harm it may have caused to the victim.

The new law – the Voyeurism Act – now allows upskirting to be treated as a sexual offence. A convicted upskirter may face up to one year in prison while more serious offenders could be jailed for up to two years.

Police are also now able to arrest people on the suspicion of upskirting.

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