Five new laws proposed to tackle violence against women and girls

Wednesday, 14 January 2026 10:44

Five new laws aimed at tackling violence against women and girls will go to Jersey's parliament for approval.

The Justice Minister has lodged legislation addressing intimate image abuse, stalking, strangulation and threats of sexual violence.

The proposals cover cyber-flashing and the creation of explicit deepfake (digitally altered) imagery.

They make specific offences of stalking and of non-fatal strangulation in the hopes of making it easier to prosecute people who commit those acts.

Victims of domestic abuse could be granted legal protections even before their case goes to court. Currently, Domestic Abuse Protection Order can only be used once there is a conviction.

Work on the legislation has been ongoing since a taskforce exposed the shocking levels of sexual harassment faced by women and girls in Jersey in November 2023 and made 77 recommendations for change.

Read: Minister pleased with progress on tackling violence against women

Jersey Police reported a 10% rise in 2024 in incidents involving violence against women and girls

Deputy Mary Le Hegarat, the Minister for Justice and Home Affairs, says the new laws will strengthen the ability of the criminal justice system to address crimes associated with violence against women and girls.

"This package of legislation provides a robust framework from which we will be able to hold perpetrators of intimate image abuse, stalking, strangulation and threats of sexual violence to account and creates meaningful protection for victims of these crimes.

“It also introduces new landmark protections for victims of stalking and domestic abuse, so that we can put strong safeguards in place before a conviction has been secured."