Rachel Woods MLA has welcomed the proposal of a cyber-flashing offence at the Justice Bill’s Further Consideration debate in the Assembly today.

The Green Party NI member of the Justice Committee said: “I welcome the proposal of a new clause to create an offence of sending an unwanted sexual image, something I pushed for on the Justice Committee.

“It is also important that the amendment includes wording about ‘deep fakes’, a growing problem that we must examine and tackle head on.

“Along with amendments which have already passed, creating up-skirting and down-blousing offences, this legislation will make a significant improvement on protecting the victims of sexual crime in Northern Ireland. However, there is much more to do, especially in our criminal justice system on consent.

“This shows what can be done when the will is there and politicians work together constructively to develop innovative legislation to protect victims and survivors.”