PROTECT YOURSELF AGAINST VOYEURISM..

Voyeurism consists of spying on people with indecent intent while they are engaged in what are considered private activities, such as undressing or going to the bathroom. Thanks to technology anyone can snap a picture or a video of someone else without their knowledge. Millions of women and children are finding themselves victims of voyeurs. In fact, thousands of photographs are being posted online without their consent.

In Trinidad and Tobago, there are no laws against voyeurism. Sometime recently, a “peeping tom” was caught at a popular Woodbrook bar lurking and taking photographs of women as they used the toilet. After a few women noticed him, he tried to escape but was caught by patrons who handed him over to the police. The police however could not charge him because under the sexual offences act, he didn’t utter sexual explicit statements to the women, physically touch them, or pleasure himself whilst looking at them.

Photo Courtesy (www.bocaratoncriminalduilawyer.com)

Voyeurs often get a camera low enough to snap pictures under women’s skirts or dresses by hiding them from view on gym bags or in their own sneakers while walking behind them. Others may place a tiny camera under the table where you are sitting to film you. It is quite scary but you should always be aware of your surroundings and be aware of who’s close to you at all times.

Cameras are very small and can be hidden almost anywhere in bathrooms, showers, hotel rooms and changing rooms in clothing stores. Cameras are now really small and are designed to be difficult to detect but, if you do find you one keep in mind to stay calm, cover the camera’s lens and notify the local police.

Unfortunately, laws like the Sexual Offences Act do not go far enough because they only make it a crime when you act out. For example, a woman standing at an ice cream booth caught a man who had lowered his video camera and was secretly filming up her dress. Believe it or not, he is not guilty of a crime because the law does not apply to filming people in public places, even if it is underneath their clothes.

Here are four steps you can take to avoid being exposed in public:

• Be aware of your surroundings
• Be conscious of who is behind you and don’t allow anyone to stand too close to you.
• On escalators, turn sideways while holding onto the rails to observe those behind you.
• While sitting in a public place be conscious of how you position your legs if you are wearing a dress or skirt