The Bill against street sexual harassment is based on changing attitudes towards women but its content applies equally to men
The British (Lower) House of Commons has approved this Friday a bill that penalizes with up to two years in prison the street sexual harassment, including whistling, blocking traffic, making demeaning comments, or following a person because of their gender.
The legislative proposal, sponsored by the former conservative minister greg clarkwill now go to the House of Lords and is expected to eventually become law, since the Government expressed its support for the initiative last December.
Although the call Sex-Based Harassment Bill is aimed at changing attitudes towards women, its content applies equally to men.
When presenting the legislative text, Clark stressed that it is about “a historic day” and he wondered how it is possible that this type of harassment is not already typified, in the same way that denigrating and abusive comments are being made based on race or sexual orientation.
“For the first time in our history, deliberately harassing, following, shouting demeaning words, making obscene gestures at women and girls in public places – and yes, on occasion men and boys in public places – because of their sex, with the deliberate intent to cause them alarm or anguish, will be a specific and serious offence,” said the Conservative deputy.“The amazing thing is that it hasn’t been like that until now”he added.