Make Upskirting Illegal in NI

The Issue

Upskirting refers to the act of taking a photograph (also known as a “creepshot”*) of underneath a person's skirt without their permission. Upskirting is an alarmingly common occurrence and is usually performed in a public place, which is often crowded, which makes it hard to spot people taking such images.

As a victim of upskirting and knowing so many others, it has become a bit alarming that we have learned that upskirting is not a prosecutable offence. You cannot serve jail time for it as it is not considered a crime. It has been promised to have been put forward to Stormont since 2018 but enough is enough. When women return to normality, we REFUSE to have to fear the man beside us and what he’s doing with the phone so low. Upskirting and other sexual offences  are absolutely disgusting.

This petition calls for upskirting to be criminalised under the Sexual Offences Order 2008 and finally give women the justice they so deserve.

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Tegan NesbittPetition Starter
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This petition had 41,303 supporters

The Issue

Upskirting refers to the act of taking a photograph (also known as a “creepshot”*) of underneath a person's skirt without their permission. Upskirting is an alarmingly common occurrence and is usually performed in a public place, which is often crowded, which makes it hard to spot people taking such images.

As a victim of upskirting and knowing so many others, it has become a bit alarming that we have learned that upskirting is not a prosecutable offence. You cannot serve jail time for it as it is not considered a crime. It has been promised to have been put forward to Stormont since 2018 but enough is enough. When women return to normality, we REFUSE to have to fear the man beside us and what he’s doing with the phone so low. Upskirting and other sexual offences  are absolutely disgusting.

This petition calls for upskirting to be criminalised under the Sexual Offences Order 2008 and finally give women the justice they so deserve.

avatar of the starter
Tegan NesbittPetition Starter
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The Decision Makers

NI Justice Minister, Naomi Long
NI Justice Minister, Naomi Long
NI Minister of Justice
Responded
“Thank you, Tegan, for sharing your story and for using this petition to raise awareness of what is an appalling violation that unfortunately happens too often to women in public places. It is important that people are aware of the harm it causes and know that if they report it, it will be taken seriously. I am bringing forward legislation to deal with upskirting, downblousing and a number of other related issues. It will be submitted to the Northern Ireland Assembly at the start of May. The legislative process takes time and I recognise that is frustrating but it’s really important to know that, right now, it is illegal to take invasive photographs of this nature. Perpetrators can and have been prosecuted under existing laws. The reason for bringing forward a specific ‘upskirting’ offence is to send out a very clear message that this is not a joke or a prank, it is not funny; it is an abuse and a violation of a person’s privacy and is a crime which must be taken seriously. I would strongly encourage anyone who experiences this kind of abuse, to come forward, speak to the police and to press for a prosecution.”
Stormont (NI government)
Stormont (NI government)
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Petition created on 13 March 2021