Upskirting Crimes Soar in Thames Valley: Urgent Need for Public Awareness and Education
Dozens of upskirting crimes have been recorded in the Thames Valley region over the past two years, according to new figures. Upskirting refers to the act of using a camera or phone to capture photos or videos underneath a person’s clothes without their consent, and it was made illegal in England and Wales in 2019.
The End Violence Against Women Coalition emphasized the urgent need for public awareness campaigns and educational initiatives in schools to combat this crime. The organization highlighted the importance of promoting healthy attitudes towards sex and relationships, in addition to raising awareness about upskirting.
Data obtained through a freedom of information request by RADAR news agency revealed that Thames Valley Police recorded 26 upskirting offenses in the last two years, with 14 cases in 2022 and 12 cases in 2021. Of the 21 victims involved, 19 were female and two were male.
Andrea Simon, director of the End Violence Against Women Coalition, stressed the significance of taking this behavior seriously in order to hold perpetrators accountable and prevent potential escalation of sexual offenses. She also advocated for viewing upskirting as part of a broader spectrum of harassment and abuse experienced by women, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach to addressing the issue.
Simon highlighted the challenges in the justice system’s investigation and prosecution of violence against women, including low charging rates. To prevent abuse and change attitudes, she called for a greater focus on prevention through public awareness campaigns and providing young people with access to comprehensive sex and relationship education in schools.
Nationwide, a total of 721 upskirting crimes were recorded across 38 police forces in England and Wales in 2021 and 2022. Of these incidents where gender was recorded, 96 percent of the victims were female. Out of the 37 forces that shared information on the follow-up to these crimes, only 12 percent resulted in a charge or summons.
In the Thames Valley area, only one upskirting crime resulted in a charge or summons at the time of the request. These figures highlight the pressing need to improve the justice system’s response to such offenses.
A spokesperson from the victim support charity SARSAS emphasized that upskirting is part of a wider range of sexual violence, which can have profound and lasting effects on the mental, emotional, and social well-being of survivors. In addition to the immediate trauma caused by the act of upskirting, victims often live with the fear that the images may still be circulating publicly.
According to separate Ministry of Justice data, there have been 356 prosecutions involving upskirting since the law was changed, with 262 resulting in convictions. However, concerns persist about the sentences given to offenders, as 60 percent of those convicted of voyeurism in the past year received suspended sentences or were immediately placed in custody.
In response to these concerns, a government spokesperson highlighted the creation of a specific offense to address upskirting and the investment of record funding into policing. The government has also allocated up to £7.4 million to projects aimed at tackling the root causes of violence against women and girls.
The rise in upskirting crimes in the Thames Valley region underscores the urgent need for increased public awareness and education to combat this invasive form of voyeurism. By promoting healthy attitudes towards sex and relationships and providing comprehensive education on consent and boundaries, steps can be taken to prevent further incidents and support the victims. It is crucial to ensure that upskirting is treated with the seriousness it deserves, both to hold perpetrators accountable and to create a safer society for all.
