Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Rory Stewart and Wera Hobhouse

Thursday 20th December 2018 Commons Chamber

[Wera Hobhouse (Bath) (LD)]

The Minister will know that recently I got involved in tackling this vile practice of sex for rent, and we all understand it is a complex problem. I am grateful for the review of the guidelines and that new guidelines are going to be issued to the Crown Prosecution Service in the new year, but will he consider a review that actually looks at the complex problems that lead to the fact that this vile practice continues to be widespread, although it is a criminal offence?

[The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Rory Stewart)]

I pay tribute to the hon. Lady for the number of times she has raised this issue in the House. Both the Minister with responsibility for victims and the Minister with responsibility for courts are looking specifically at this issue. As the hon. Lady is aware, there are complexities relating to stigmatising the individual who is themselves a victim, but we will continue to work on that and we look forward to working more closely with her on this subject.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Rory Stewart and Wera Hobhouse

Thursday 29th March 2018 Commons Chamber

[Wera Hobhouse (Bath) (LD)]

12. If the Government will support legislative proposals to include upskirting as a crime under the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

[The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice (Rory Stewart)]

I pay tribute to the hon. Lady for the work that she has done on this important issue. Upskirting is a disgusting and horrifying offence. There is a great deal more that we can do to educate the police and prosecuting authorities about their current ability to prosecute offenders under the outraging public decency offence, but we are also looking very actively at the private Member’s Bill tabled by the hon. Lady.

[Wera Hobhouse]

I thank the Minister for agreeing to meet me in May to discuss the issue, but may I ask why he believes that the law is currently adequate? A 10-year-old girl was a victim of this crime not far from my constituency, but nothing could be done under the current law.