The New Law Against Catcalling: What It Means for Women and How to Use It
A new government law has made street harassment a stand-alone criminal offence in England and Wales. But what hasn't been specified is how women should use it for their own safety.
We're here to provide the critical information they left out.
In Spring 2024, Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) was officially declared a national emergency in England and Wales by the National Police Chiefs' Council and the College of Policing. This was declared after findings that VAWG constitutes nearly 20% of all recorded crime, a percentage that continues to climb.
A new legal amendment of the 2023 Protection from Sex-Based Harassment in Public Act came into force last week, making sexual harassment a stand-alone offence. We shared the news with you all on TikTok and Instagram. 367K (and counting) of you watched, and sped to the comment section to share your thoughts.
“How do we report it????” “Totally agree, but how tf do you prove it.” “Okay, but are the police gonna actually start taking us seriously then or?”
As your editor, I'm not afraid to say that my reaction was no different to yours.
In fact, when my mum first imparted the 'news' after seeing it on her Facebook page, I knitted my brows together in utter disbelief and confusion.
Wasn't Street Harassment Already Illegal?
Yes, before this amendment, sexual harassment was illegal under the same act. However, it was not a stand-alone offence in its own right.
One comment with 288 likes put it plainly: “It was already illegal just under the name of harassment, but no one does sh*** abt it.”
That’s the real question. Not what the law says, but whether it truly changes anything. And if it does, where do we go to report it?
But firstly, let's go back to legal basics.
What Does This New Law Cover Women Against?
Protection from Sex-based Harassment in Public Act 2023 states that street harassment is now a standalone criminal offence in England and Wales. That means sexual comments, intimidation, following, and unwanted physical contact in public spaces can result in up to two years in prison.
Why Is This Law Being Enforced Now?
According to the minister for safeguarding and violence against women and girls, Jess Phillips, this new law was designed to take away blame from victims and ensure their aggressors have nowhere to hide.
"The sad reality is that many women and girls have been cornered, leered at or shouted at in public, or have faced intimidating threats of violence. (GOV UK)
Too often, they’ve been made to feel like it’s their problem to manage. That is not good enough. Instead of forcing women and girls to change their behaviour, we are going after those who choose to target and intimidate them."
With the emphasis even more focused on perpetrators, harassing someone in public 'because of their sex', will not be tolerated, and could potentially lead to a criminal record and up to 2 years behind bars.
How Can Women Report It?
Unfortunately, the government failed to outline how this new law works, how it will be enforced and what women should do in the moment should it happen to them.
Here's What You Should Do If You Are Sexually Harassed (According to Police UK)
In The Moment
Police UK recommend not responding to your aggressor. They suggest getting to a populated space, and if you're being followed or feel unsafe, call 999.
Afterwards
If you don't think you're in a dangerous situation, once you've reached a safe space, start filing your report via 101 or your local police online portal. Include where, when, what was said or done, and, critically, how it made you feel. The law hinges on impact.
On transport: Text 61016 (British Transport Police).
With Proof
Unfortunately, CCTV doesn’t record audio: another valid concern raised in our comment section. Either way, your account still matters. Patterns of reported incidents can build cases even when single incidents don’t result in charges.
What Evidence Do You Need?
Women don't need any upfront evidence to report an instance of catcalling or street harassment. Although Police UK and other sources state that it will strengthen your case.
This new rule has also entered workplaces, and as of 6th April 2026, reporting sexual harassment is legally protected under the Employment Rights Act 2025. This means your employer cannot fire you or punish you for speaking up. (ACAS)
According to ACAS, from October 2026, you'll have up to six months (instead of three) to bring a tribunal claim, giving you more time to get advice and take action. (Employment Rights Act 2025)
How Will This New Street Harassment Law Change Anything?
And the question we ask every time: “How is this new law going to change anything?”
If this law was designed to make women feel 'safer' on the streets, the proven data and 2 in 3 women's experiences say otherwise. According to Rape Crisis England & Wales, only 2.7% of reported rapes resulted in a charge in 2024, meaning fewer than 3 in every 100 cases moved forward in the justice system.
As of 2025, there are over 14,000 sexual offence cases waiting to be heard in the Crown Court. This backlog continues to stretch women's cases into year-long battles.
These statistics reveal that the issue is the disparity between written law and what our system is able to practically enforce. In a government press release article, officials suggest that the effects of this new law could be determined by how frequently it is exercised, inferring that underreporting of such crimes is a contributing factor. And yet, as one woman put it under our TikTok: “but we’ll never be taken seriously.”
Final Thoughts
While the law reframes the crime, it doesn’t yet rebuild the trust in our legal system that we as women so desperately need to report it. And without that, the gap between legislation and lived experience remains exactly where it was.
Nonetheless, it builds a new category of offence, which means harassment no longer needs to be attached to a broader charge to be prosecuted.
Should you ever need to report an instance of harassment, please file a police report using this link:
Article author: Jasmine Panayiotou
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