The Ministry of Justice announced on Twitter that upskirt photography is now a criminal offence from April 12.
People found guilty could face prison time and being registered as a sex offender if they were found to have used the content for sexual gratification.
Victims will have the same rights as in sexual assault cases, meaning they will have anonymity for life.
The act received Royal Assent in February, but only came into force in April to give police time to allow guidance to be updated and make sure it is enforced correctly.
Gina Martin, who was a victim of upskirting at a festival in 2017, was shocked when reporting the incident to find it wasn’t illegal.
Liberal Democrat MP Wera Hobhouse took up Gina’s campaign and introduced it to Parliament.
The act also covers celebrities who are upskirted by paparazzi, and men wearing kilts.
Theresa May described upskirting as “degrading and humiliating”.
Other celebrities also support the act, including Holly Willoughby who has been a victim of upskirting during an award night, in which the celebrities were seen carrying white roses to support the #timesup campaign on sexual assault.
Paparazzi took photos of celebrities holding down their skirts when leaving taxis. The irony was not lost on Holly Willoughby who said “apparently time’s up on #timesup”.
The Ministry of Justice launched a campaign encouraging women to come forward and report the crimes, to ensure that prosecutions are made.
It’s called upskirting.
It’s illegal.As the new #UpskirtingLaw comes into force thank you @ginamartin_uk @hollywills @radioleary @thewhitmore & @ryantwhelan for your inspiring work encouraging victims to report upskirting to the police
Know your rights: https://t.co/ot9XFQVvil pic.twitter.com/2jf5fVlt0i
— Ministry of Justice (@MoJGovUK) April 11, 2019
