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It’s now illegal to photograph breastfeeding women thanks to Manchester mum’s campaign
Those found guilty of the offence could face up to two years behind bars
A Manchester mum’s tireless campaign work has led to a new law that makes it illegal to photograph breastfeeding women.
Julia Cooper launched the Breastfeeding in Peace campaign after she caught a man taking photos of her breastfeeding her child at Sale Water Park in June last year.
She asked the man to delete the photos but he refused, saying it was was his right as they were in a public place. Police later told her there was nothing they could do.
At the time, Julia told ITV News that the incident made her feel ‘violated’ and ‘powerless’, saying: “He captured something of me and my daughter and I felt so violated. I just felt so shocked, powerless, I didn’t know what to do.”
It was then that Julia decided to fight for change, with her spending her maternity leave campaigning to change the law.
And her efforts weren’t in vain, as a new breastfeeding voyeurism offence carrying sentences of up to two years behind bars comes into force this week.
To be guilty of the offence, the perpetrator must be acting for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification or of humiliating, alarming or distressing the victim.
The new law, added to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts act, builds on existing offences of voyeurism which banned ‘upskirting’, where offenders take a picture under someones clothes without them knowing.
Julia’s campaign was backed by Labour MP for Withington Jeff Smith under the slogan ‘Stop the Breast Pest’, and he welcomed yesterday’s law change.
Smith said: “Mothers should be able to feel comfortable breastfeeding. They shouldn’t be made to feel uncomfortable by someone taking these kind of photographs without their consent.
“Everybody I have spoken to says the same thing: I can’t believe this isn’t illegal. It’s a fairly simple change to the law that we think we can make and it will protect women.”
Julia said back in January, when the law was passed: “This change in the law is hopefully a reassurance for mothers to feel like they can get out the house and feed their kids wherever they want.
“The law will be there to catch them if they are unfortunate enough to meet a creep like I was.”