From 1 April 2026, a new law has come into force aimed at tackling sex‑based harassment in public spaces.
The Protection from Sex‑based Harassment in Public Act 2023 makes it a specific criminal offence to intentionally harass, alarm or distress someone in a public place because of their sex or presumed sex.
The introduction of this legislation marks an important step in recognising the impact of behaviours that many people, particularly women, experience as part of everyday life, often without recourse or support.
While the law applies to people of all sexes, evidence consistently shows that women are disproportionately affected by harassment in public settings.
What the law covers
Under Section 4B, it is now a criminal offence to engage in behaviour that is intended to cause harassment, alarm or distress on the basis of sex. This can include (but is not limited to):
- Obscene or sexual comments and gestures
- Threats of sexual violence
- Following someone in a threatening or intimidating manner
- Intentionally blocking someone’s path
- Deliberately watching obscene material in public to cause distress
- Persistent intimidation by an individual or group
The offence applies to conduct that takes place in public spaces, including streets, transport hubs, parks and publicly accessible areas within towns and cities. Crucially, it focuses on the impact on the person experiencing the behaviour, rather than dismissing it as isolated, low‑level or unavoidable.
Those found guilty of an offence under the Act could face a maximum custodial sentence of up to two years, signalling the seriousness with which these behaviours are now treated.
Why this matters
For many women, navigating public space can involve a constant assessment of risk – altering routes, adjusting behaviour or avoiding certain places or times altogether. This legislation sends a clear message that sex‑based harassment is not acceptable, and that everyone has the right to feel safe and respected in public.
Kate Bailey, Birmingham Colmore Board Director and Lead for the Safer Colmore Working Group, said:
“This law is an important acknowledgement that behaviours so often dismissed as ‘minor’ can have a profound effect on how safe and confident people, particularly women, feel in public spaces. Recognising these acts as criminal is a vital step towards changing attitudes and creating environments where everyone feels able to move freely.”
Supporting safer spaces in Colmore
In Colmore, this legislative change aligns closely with ongoing work to improve safety, confidence and inclusion across the district. The Colmore Women’s Safety Forum (a women‑only space) continues to provide a platform for sharing lived experience, shaping priorities and informing practical action.
Alongside this, the Colmore Women’s Safety Network, a virtual network open to both women and men, offers a wider space for discussion, updates and shared responsibility around safety in the district. Addressing harassment in public spaces is not solely about those affected. It requires awareness, allyship and action from everyone.
There are also plans to expand our Active Bystander Training opportunities in the future, equipping people with the confidence and tools to safely intervene, challenge inappropriate behaviour and support others when incidents occur.
Learn more
To understand more about the legislation and how it is intended to be enforced, please visit:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/protection-from-sex-based-harassment-in-public-act-2023/protection-from-sex-based-harassment-in-public-act-2023-statutory-guidance-for-the-police-accessible
Creating safer public spaces is a shared responsibility. This new law provides an important framework, but meaningful change will come through continued conversation, collective action and a clear refusal to accept harassment as part of everyday life.
