Jess Phillips says new legislation ends era of women being forced to manage their own victimisation

A landmark law giving police stronger powers to tackle sex-based harassment in public has come into force.

Spearheading the government’s announcement is Jess Phillips, the West Midlands MP and Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls.

The Protection from Sex-Based Harassment in Public Act criminalises intentional harassment directed at someone because of their sex, covering incidents in streets, parks, public transport, taxis and shops. 

Offenders can face a criminal record and up to two years in prison.

Ending a culture of endurance

Phillips, MP for Birmingham Yardley, said: “Too often they’ve been made to feel like it’s their problem to manage.

“Instead of forcing women and girls to change their behaviour, we are going after those who choose to target and intimidate them.”

The government has declared violence against women and girls a national emergency. 

New statutory guidance published alongside the legislation will ensure the law is applied consistently by police forces across England and Wales.

Campaigners welcome the change

The legislation, which originated as a Private Members’ Bill brought by Greg Clark and Lord Wolfson of Tredegar, has been broadly welcomed by campaigners.

Rose Caldwell, chief executive of Plan International UK, said the Act marked “a long-overdue shift” that would make a genuine difference to the lives of girls and young women navigating harassment in public spaces.

Georgia Theodoulou, Director of Advocacy at Our Streets Now, said the change was a testament to the power of grassroots campaigning, while cautioning that law alone would not shift the underlying culture.

Broader strategy

The new offence forms part of the government’s wider violence against women and girls strategy, which also includes specialist rape investigation teams in every police force and new school lessons challenging misogyny and promoting healthy relationships.