SDLP Foyle MLA Sinead McLaughlin
The PSNI is now able to charge for offences in Northern Ireland including upskirting, downblousing, cyberflashing and threatening to publish intimate images.
It follows the release of figures last week which revealed that there has been an increase of 23.1% from 2021/22 to 2022/23 in the number of files involving a sexual offence received by the PPS.
Although there has been a decrease of decisions meeting the test for prosecution, the PPS maintains it is largely consistent with previous years.
Said the Foyle MLA: “The news today that these offences have now gone live is a very positive step forward.
“The heinous and traumatising offences that have come into operation have no place in our society and I am pleased that more protection will now be provided for those victims who suffer such abuse.
“We must ensure that the full force of the law is brought to bear on those people who are charged and convicted of these offences.
“While this announcement is welcome, there is much more left to do to stamp out such degrading crimes once and for all.
“This must include addressing the persistent delays in our criminal justice system which lead to victims waiting many months and sometimes years without justice.
“I hear regularly from people in Derry and across the North who have suffered from the justice system’s slow progress on these issues, including from victims who have lost total confidence in the system to properly deal with the traumatic crimes they have suffered.
“We must see the full implementation of the Gillen Review recommendations without delay to ensure that confidence in our justice system can be fully restored.
“This law is an example of what a functioning Assembly can achieve when parties work together in common interest.
“All of these issues will be at the top of the in-tray of a new Minister of Justice and will also require close coordination across the Executive so that we can prevent such crimes from taking place in the first instance.
“The SDLP Opposition stands ready to hold them to account on delivering the changes necessary to protect people.”
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