Upskirting; FAQS answered

Over the last four years in the UK, there have been some changes concerning sexual harassment law revolving around the term upskirting.

Under UK law, upskirting is now considered to be on the same level as voyeurism, which was usually restricted to individuals who would watch sexual acts of other people through windows.

However, if you have been accused of upskirting, it is not something that you can simply skirt away from. It is a very serious offence, and if you find yourself on the receiving end of this accusation, you will need to seek the advice of a trained sexual offence solicitor to help fight your case.

In this article, some of the common queries relating to upskirting will be answered so that you can get a bit more information about this illegal act.

What is upskirting?

As briefly mentioned earlier, upskirting is now part of the voyeurism act in the UK, which puts it in the same category as the traditional peeping Tom. Upskirting is an intrusive act in which a person uses a smartphone or a camera to take photographs of somebody up their skirt. However, it is not restricted to this solely and can be performed by taking pictures down someone’s shirt or up someone’s trousers. Upskirting is done for the sexual gratification of the person taking the photo, and the person who is in the photographs is not aware of this act; therefore, upskirting is also a breach of privacy.

What should I do if I’ve been accused of upskirting?

If you have been accused of upskirting, the first thing you need to do is seek the advice of a sexual offence solicitor. This is not a minor accusation anymore, and if you are found guilty, there can be severe consequences for your future career and your name in general.

What is the sentence for this in the UK?

If you are found guilty of upskirting anytime after the 12th of July 2019, you can face two years

in jail. This means that if you are accused, you really need to seek help as soon

as possible to get your side of the story across. At this present moment, however, historical incidents of upskirting prior to the 12th of July 2019 are not considered sexual offences.

Will I be put on the sexual offence register?

Yes, under UK law, if you were found guilty of upskirting, you will be entered into the sexual offenders’ register, which, as mentioned earlier, can have a serious impact on your job choices and other aspects of your life. So, you must seek legal representation as soon as possible if you find out that you have been accused of upskirting.

What can a solicitor do to help me?

A sexual offence solicitor will be able to take your side of the story and gain evidence to prove your innocence in this area. It is worth noting that all sexual offence representatives in the UK are now trained in the upskirting law and will know the legal ramifications and be able to offer you up-to-date advice.