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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/913...convention.html

Wolf-whistling "could be made illegal" under new European convention
Source: telegraph.co.uk

Wolf-whistles and sexist remarks could soon become criminal offences as
David Cameron signs a new European convention today, it has been claimed.

The Prime Minister David Cameron Photo: AFP/GETTY11:32AM GMT 08 Mar 2012
In a special event to mark International Women’s Day, David Cameron will
pledge to fight verbal and non-verbal violence against women, including
sexual harassment.

By signing the Council of Europe convention, he will vow to take “necessary
legislative measures” against anyone breaking the clauses within, by
committing “verbal, non-verbal or physical" sexual harassment.

This is thought to include sexist comments and street harassment, including
shouting or whistling at women in public.

In particular, the convention sets out a definition of sexual harassment, as
“violating the dignity of a person, in particular when creating an
intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment.”

This, it says, is “subject to criminal or other legal sanction”.

The document, which will be signed by Mr Cameron and Nick Clegg, also
promises to protect women against all forms of violence, by working towards
their prevention and punishment.

It has already been signed by 18 countries, including Germany, France,
Spain, Norway, Sweden and Finland.

The “unprecedented” agreement means those who rape or “seriously harm” women
will be prosecuted in this country if charges are not brought abroad.

The new procedures would also cover offences such as forced marriage, female
genital mutilation, and forced abortions which may not be illegal abroad.

The concept of “honour” should no longer be justification for crimes against
women, it states, and culture, custom, religion and tradition should not be
accepted as excuses.

Mr Cameron’s official spokesman has downplayed the issue of sexism and
street intimidation, saying “we have harassment laws in this country”
already.

"We are talking about a serious issue of harassment and stalking and
domestic violence and abuse,” he added.

Last night, Mr Cameron also said that stalking would be made a criminal
offence. “Stalking is an abhorrent crime,” the Prime Minister said. “It
makes life a living hell for victims. That is why we are explicitly
criminalising stalking to make sure that justice is done.”

Currently, only murder and paedophile offences committed abroad can be
prosecuted in British courts. In a joint statement to mark International
Women’s Day, the Prime Minister and his deputy said they were acting to
tackle the “utter scandal” of violence and domestic abuse suffered by
millions of women.

“The agreement is not just a piece of paper,” Mr Cameron and Mr Clegg said.
“It’s going to lift the standards of protection for women across Europe,
give greater support for victims and, crucially, bring many more
perpetrators to justice. By signing the convention we would ensure that
British offenders who commit their crimes abroad would still face justice in
our courts. We believe rapists and abusive men from the UK who seriously
harm women should face the same fate wherever they commit the offence.

“Our message must be loud and clear: there must be nowhere to hide.”

Mr Cameron and Mr Clegg said that Britain already had some of the toughest
laws to tackle domestic violence, but more needed to be done.

It was not clear last night whether ministers have faced pressure to
introduce the procedures to prosecute foreign cases in this country, or
whether women had made complaints to British police about abuse abroad.
There was also little information about how the new prosecutions would work
in practice.

The announcement was made amid growing concern in Downing Street that Mr
Cameron is not appealing to women voters. The Prime Minister has also
recently indicated his backing for increased support for rape crisis
centres.

The Prime Minister will host a reception in Downing Street today to mark
International Women’s Day. Mr Clegg will open the London Stock Exchange this
morning accompanied by well-known female business figures