Correspondence

Implementation of the Voyeurism (Offences) Act 2019

The Voyeurism (Offences) Act 2019 inserts 2 new offences into the Sexual Offences Act 2003, at section 67A, criminalising certain acts of voyeurism.

Documents

Details

The Voyeurism (Offences) Act 2019 creates 2 new offences criminalising someone who operates equipment or records an image under another person’s clothing (without that person’s consent or a reasonable belief in their consent) with the intention of viewing, or enabling another person to view, their genitals or buttocks (with or without underwear), where the purpose is to obtain sexual gratification or to cause humiliation, distress or alarm.

The offences will be triable either way and will carry a maximum 2 year prison sentence.

The provisions come into effect on 12 April 2019 and will not be retrospective. The new offences will apply in England and Wales.

This circular provides information on the new offences.

Published 12 April 2019