Fewer than 40 cases of upskirting per year were passed on to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) since 2018, figures have revealed. A freedom of information request by the Scottish Liberal Democrats showed 226 cases of upskirting were reported to the COPFS between July that year and July 2024 – an average of 38 a year. The party’s justice spokesperson Liam McArthur called for the Scottish Government to “give victims confidence that their cases will be dealt with and instil in perpetrators a fear that will not get away with it.”
Upskirting involves a person taking images or videos underneath someone’s clothing without permission. The Lib Dems said “loopholes” in the law mean offences only cover images obtained for motives of sexual gratification or for causing distress. McArthur urged the Government to review the law around upskirting. He emphasised the need to take these offences seriously as they compromise the safety and dignity of women and constitute a form of harassment that has been ignored for too long.
The Scottish Government highlighted that upskirting has been a criminal offence since 2010 when the Sexual Offences Act came into effect. They assured that all forms of abuse and violence against women and girls are taken extremely seriously, encouraging victims to seek support and contact the police. A spokesperson for the Crown Office reaffirmed their commitment to effectively prosecuting sexual crimes and giving careful consideration to reports of alleged criminal conduct.
McArthur stressed the importance of instilling fear in perpetrators and giving victims the confidence that their cases will be handled appropriately. He continued to push for a review of the law to allow more upskirting cases to be reported to the COPFS, ensuring that victims have trust in the system meant to protect them. The call to action is clear in addressing the shortcomings in dealing with upskirting cases and providing justice for victims.
In summary, the Scottish Liberal Democrats’ findings shed light on the limited number of upskirting cases being forwarded to authorities each year. The plea for a review of the law surrounding upskirting reflects a crucial step towards ensuring victims receive the justice they deserve and perpetrators face the consequences of their actions. This article serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts needed to combat such invasive and harmful behaviours in society.