Stephen Morgan MP supports tougher sentences for assaults on emergency workers
New Bill would make it an aggravated criminal offence to attack 999 staff as sexual assaults on ambulance workers up 100% in South East
Stephen Morgan MP was in Westminster this Friday to give his support to a new law being proposed by Chris Bryant MP, which for the first time would make it an aggravated offence to sexual assault an emergency worker. It builds on the Private Members Bill that will already offer protection against physical assaults and that Mr Morgan supported last October.
With a shocking rise of 100% in sexual assaults against ambulance workers alone in the South East, this law aims to help deter people from assaulting the workers and to ensure those that do face tough sanctions.
Chris Bryant’s Private Members’ Bill, which passed its third reading in the Commons on Friday, already makes physical assaults against an emergency worker an aggravated offence, and this most recent amendment will ensure sexual assaults on them are considered aggravated as well.
The new law has support from the Royal College of Nursing, Unison, the Fire Bridges Union, the Police Federation, Alcohol Concern, the British Transport Police and the GMB union.
Stephen Morgan MP, said:
‘I backed the bill to protect our protectors because it’s absolutely unacceptable that the hard-working men and women in Portsmouth’s NHS, Fire and Police services face assault and abuse simply for doing their jobs.
‘Sexual assault is always intolerable, but the growing trend of sexual assaults on, in particular, ambulance workers and paramedics must be stamped out immediately.
‘So I’m proud to give them the support and protection they need and that’s why I’ve backed this amendment.’
Chris Bryant MP, added:
‘No one should be attacked just for doing their job, let alone when that job is putting themselves on the line for the public good, but too many emergency workers have told me of the sexual abuse and threats they face so we must ensure this Bill gives them the protections they need.
‘In the time of #metoo and #timesup we simply can not stand by whilst sexual assaults on emergency workers grow so I’m thankful to have Stephen’s support for this amendment to give them the protection they need.’
