Oral Answers to Questions

Wera Hobhouse Excerpts
Thursday 22nd February 2018

(6 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Amber Rudd Portrait Amber Rudd
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

My hon. Friend is absolutely right: the abuse of women online does put women off, and we need to make sure that less takes place in order to encourage them. The experience of my recent visit to the west coast to discuss high levels of crime online with the communications service providers—the internet companies—was productive. We have got them to agree to a number of additional measures that I think will persist.

Wera Hobhouse Portrait Wera Hobhouse (Bath) (LD)
- Hansard - -

T6. Will the Minister consider criminalising upskirting to end that degrading and humiliating practice?

Victoria Atkins Portrait Victoria Atkins
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

Upskirting is a modern phenomenon, and it is fair to say that the law has not quite kept up with modern habits. It is an issue of which I am aware, not least because my police and crime commissioner campaigns on it thoroughly. The Government are considering the issue, and perhaps in due course I could meet the hon. Lady to discuss it with her.