Committees

Non-contact sexual offences

Inquiry

Following the announcement that a General Election will be held on 4 July, Select Committees will be unable to meet from 24 May and will cease to exist from 30 May until after the General Election. This work has therefore closed

The recent rapes and murders of both Sarah Everard and Libby Squire by men who had histories of committing acts of incident exposure and/or voyeurism has prompted calls for non-contact sexual offences to be taken more seriously. Non-contact sexual offences generally refer to a range of sexual offences involving no physical contact between the perpetrator and the victim, such as voyeurism and indecent exposure.

This inquiry will explore the escalation of non-contact sexual offences to more serious sexual offences, such as rape and sexual assault. It will examine whether enough is being done to prevent the escalation of sexual offences, and if not, what else should be done. It will also examine the police response to non-contact sexual offences. 

Signposting

Want to talk? | Rape Crisis England & Wales Rape Crisis. Helpline call free 0808 500 2222 ‘If something sexual happened to you without your consent – or you're not sure – you can talk to us. No matter when it happened’.

Rape Crisis Scotland | Working to end sexual violence Call: 08088 01 03 02

Sexual abuse support – Support for victims-survivors of sexual abuse Call: 0808 500 2222. If you are over the age of 16, living in England & Wales and have been affected by any form of sexual violence or abuse. The home page gives information and contact details for a variety of specialist services.

Childline  Call: 0800 1111. Free, 24-hour confidential helpline for children and young people who need to talk. 

Upcoming events

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Past events

Wednesday 24 April 2024
9:30am Public
Non-contact sexual offences - Oral evidence 24 April 2024
9:30am
  • Deputy Chief Constable Maggie Blyth
  • Assistant Commissioner Louisa Rolfe (Assistant Commissioner, Frontline Policing at Metropolitan Police Service)
  • Commander Ben Russell (Intelligence & Covert Policing at Metropolitan Police Service)
  • Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Paul Furnell (Contact, Safeguarding, Crime & Justice at British Transport Police)
10:30am
  • Laura Farris (Minister for Victims and Safeguarding at Home Office)
  • Joanna West (Director of Tackling Exploitation and Abuse at Home Office)
  • Amy Randall (Director for Victims and Vulnerability Policy at Ministry of Justice)
The Thatcher Room, Portcullis House
Wednesday 21 February 2024
10:00am Public
Non-contact sexual offences - Oral evidence 21 February 2024
10:00am
  • Lisa Squire
10:30am
  • Professor Clare McGlynn (Professor of Law at Durham University)
  • Professor Sarah Kingston (Professor of Criminal Justice and Policing at University of Central Lancashire)
  • Professor Katrin Hohl (Independent Advisor to the Rape Review at Independent Advisor to the Rape Review)
The Wilson Room, Portcullis House

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