Voyeurism and upskirting

Voyeurism

Voyeurism is when someone gets sexual pleasure from watching, photographing or recording others doing something that's usually private, for example when they're naked or having sex.

Voyeurism is an offence if it is done without the person's permission. The offence includes photographing or filming others for someone else's sexual pleasure.

Upskirting

’Upskirting’ is an informal term for a type of voyeurism when someone uses equipment like a camera or mobile phone to take photos or videos underneath a person’s clothes, without their permission.

It's not limited to women wearing skirts or dresses and applies to anyone wearing kilts, shorts, trousers or any other clothes.

Upskirting often happens in crowded places like public transport or music festivals, which can make it difficult to notice.

Upskirting is an offence whether it's done for sexual pleasure or to humiliate or upset someone.

What to do if it happens to you

You might feel anxiety, fear and feelings of distrust and violation. Or you might not feel alarmed or distressed at all. There's no right or wrong way to feel.

• Get out of the situation quickly if you can.
• If you're in public, move away.
• Don't engage directly with the offender.
• If it's definitely safe to, consider taking a photo of them from a safe distance.
• Report it to us, if you feel you can.

Report it

It takes courage to report something uncomfortable, but if you feel you can talk to us, we'll always take you seriously.

Your report can help us stop it happening to someone else. Sometimes people who commit this type of offence go on to commit more serious offences.