The women's bar association
WBA COMMENDS THE GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATURE FOR THEIR SWIFT ACTION TO ADDRESS "UPSKIRTING"
Women’s Bar Association of Massachusetts
27 School Street, Suite 500, Boston, MA 02108
Ph: 617.973.6666 Fax: 617.973.6663 www.womensbar.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
|
Contact: |
|
|
|
Kara DelTufo Women’s Bar Association of Massachusetts
|
|
Patricia Comfort, Women’s Bar Association of Massachusetts (617) 973-6666 |
WOMEN’S BAR ASSOCIATION COMMENDS THE GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATURE FOR THEIR SWIFT ACTION TO ADDRESS “UPSKIRTING”
BOSTON, MA – March 7, 2014 - The Women’s Bar Association of Massachusetts (WBA) today commends the legislature for quickly passing and Governor Deval Patrick for signing into law H 3934 - An Act Relative to Unlawful Sexual Surveillance.
The legislation makes taking a photograph or recording under or around a person’s clothing a misdemeanor when a reasonable person would believe that his or her sexual or other intimate parts would not be visible to the public, and it includes punishments of imprisonment in the house of correction for up to two and a half years and/or a fine of up to $5,000. In addition, the legislation enhances penalties for taking a photograph or recording of a child under 18 years old by adding a possible state prison sentence of up to five years if charged with a felony and increasing the fine to up to $10,000. The legislation also adds that photographing or recording under or around a person's clothing without his or her knowledge to the state’s current dissemination laws, which carry a possible state prison sentence of up to five years, and creates a new crime of dissemination of such photos of children with a maximum jail sentence of up to 2 ½ years or a state prison sentence of up to 10 years.
“The WBA applauds both the Governor and legislature for their quick response in addressing this important public safety legislation against “upskirting.” We especially thank Senate President Therese Murray and House Speaker Robert DeLeo for recognizing this legislation as an immediate priority for women in our state. Privacy and dignity are basic human rights, ones that should not be compromised just because a woman goes out in public,” stated WBA President-Elect Kara DelTufo.
The legislation is in response to Wednesday’s decision by the Supreme Judicial Court, which ruled that existing Massachusetts law did not prohibit taking a picture up a woman’s skirt in a public place.
About the Women’s Bar Association of Massachusetts
Founded in 1978 by a group of activist women lawyers, the Women’s Bar Association boasts a vast membership of accomplished women lawyers, judges, and law students across Massachusetts. The WBA is committed to the full and equal participation of women in the legal profession and in a just society. The WBA works to achieve this mission through committees and taskforces and by developing and promoting a legislative agenda to address society’s most critical social and legal issues. Other WBA activities include drafting amicus briefs, studying employment issues affecting women, encouraging women to enter the judiciary, recognizing the achievement of women in the law, and providing pro bono services to women in need through supporting its charitable sister organization, the Women’s Bar Foundation. For more information, visit www.womensbar.org.