I like to watch

by Nigel Cooper

You switch the shower on and stand naked in front of the mirror, examining your body while you wait for the water to warm up. After you've washed, you towel yourself dry, wondering if you've put a little bit of weight on. You're sure your bum looks bigger…

© C4

Now imagine a tiny hidden camera is watching your every move, and has been for months. Your flatmate's boyfriend installed it so he could watch your most intimate bathroom moments from the comfort of his own bedroom. He even put a mirror up to make sure the room had no blind spots – even the toilet isn't private. As horrific as this might sound, scenarios like this do happen – and it is easier than ever for voyeurs to buy hidden camera equipment to spy on unsuspecting victims.

what is voyeurism?

The Oxford Dictionary defines a voyeur as 'a person who gains sexual pleasure from watching others when they are naked or taking part in sexual activity' – but this doesn't quite sum up the whole picture.

Most of us are voyeurs in some form or another – it's part of human nature. We are sexually attracted to other people and are therefore titillated by seeing them naked. If we weren't, we probably wouldn't bother having sex at all.

But while voyeurism is harmless if it is consensual, it does take a more sinister form when it's a secretive act. Indeed, the second dictionary definition of a voyeur is 'a person who enjoys seeing the pain or distress of others'. Suddenly, it doesn't seem quite so inoffensive.

Twenty-first century voyeurism isn't only the bastion of the supposedly harmless 'Peeping Tom', peering through his neighbour's window, hoping to catch a stolen glimpse of her undressing. Neither is it confined to the opportunistic voyeur who hopes to see a skirt blowing up in the wind, or to see some cleavage when his waitress bends down to give him his coffee.

Modern technology has allowed voyeurism to evolve. Now, we can not only be watched in private moments without our knowledge, but filmed, too. Your image could be captured without your knowledge in a shop changing room, at the gym or even in your own home. What's more, it could then be broadcast online, on one of the numerous voyeur websites in cyberspace.

voyeurs and the law

Amazingly, voyeurism wasn't illegal before the revised Sexual Offences Act 2003. Implemented in May 2004, it gives legal protection to the victims of non-consensual voyeurism – for the first time, UK law is taking the subject seriously.

The legislation means anyone observing a person in a private act for his or her own sexual gratification (in a shop changing room, for example) is committing a crime. Offenders can face imprisonment for up to two years or a fine. It is worth noting that it is not an offence just to watch someone without their knowledge – the act only becomes criminal if it is for the sexual gratification of the watcher or a third party.

'Peeping Toms' have long been treated as laughable individuals, a little sad, perhaps, but not dangerous. But theirs is not a victimless crime. Andrew Buckingham of the Victim Support Scheme said: "The perception is that non-consensual voyeurism is not serious, but it can have a very damaging effect on people."

While the emotional scars of finding out someone has been watching your intimate moments can be devastating, physical injury or aggression is unlikely. Only a small percentage of voyeurs will go on to commit worse crimes and, although 95% of rapists and sexual murderers have displayed voyeuristic tendencies, this in no way means all voyeurs will go on to offend in such a manner. It does mean anyone experiencing the crime should play safe and report it, however.

hidden cameras

Almost any household object can be transformed into a camera or listening device. By doing a quick search on the web, you can find a number of shops selling hidden surveillance equipment. Tiny cameras can be hidden in anything from lady's handbags to bedside alarm clocks and you can buy long-range listening devices that are indistinguishable from mobile telephones. All you have to do is dial a special number and the phone will instantly be turned into a secret transmitter, wherever it is in the world.

It isn't only equipment designed specifically for the purpose of surveillance you have to worry about. Normal mobile telephones with cameras and videos can also be used for voyeuristic purposes. One victim, Jenny, said:

"My flatmate found a photo of me on her boyfriend's mobile. I'd fallen asleep on the sofa after a night out and he'd taken a picture up my skirt, with my knickers showing. I know it sounds stupid, but it felt horrible… I felt really invaded."

Jenny is not alone in this experience and mobile phone manufacturers are aware of the problem. Most of the newer mobile phones make a sound when they take a photograph, to help stop the practice of photographing people unawares.

taking action

If you find you have been watched, filmed or recorded in a place which can reasonably be expected to provide privacy, the law will protect you, so it is vital you report it. There is also counselling and help available if you think you have been watched.

Although there aren't any organisations in the UK that cater solely for the victims of non-consensual voyeurism, most support lines dealing with sexual assaults and attacks can offer help. As many victims do feel they have been sexually violated by their voyeur, this is a vital service.

Andrew Buckingham said: "We support people who have been involved in many different sexual crimes, including the victims of non-consensual voyeurism."

Likewise, there aren't any specific programmes for voyeurs and offenders, probably because it wasn't previously a criminal offence, and wasn't really taken as seriously as it should have been.

If you are particularly worried that hidden cameras may be secreted in your home, you can find anti-bugging devices on many of the same websites that sell the surveillance equipment. These will allow you to 'sweep' your house for hidden cameras and microphones.

This may seem extreme and unnecessary and, for most of us, it is. Statistics show that around one in a thousand women can expect to have been photographed without their consent. With the law now taking non-consensual voyeurism seriously, it's also comforting to know that, if it has happened to you, there is finally something you can do about it.

help and info

Channel 4 is not responsible for the content of third party sites.

organisations

Brook
421 Highgate Studios
53-79 Highgate Road
London NW5 1TL
Helpline: 0800 0185 023 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm)
E-mail: admin@brookcentres.org.uk
Website: www.brook.org.uk
Provides free and confidential advice for anyone under 25 on any sex and relationship problem. The website has tons of useful information including a secure on-line enquiry service and a text messaging service and details on how to get in touch with your local Brook centre.

Victim Support Scheme
39 Brixton Road
London SW9 6DZ
Supportline: 0845 30 30 900 (Mon-Fri 9am-9pm, Sat-Sun 9am-7pm)
E-mail: contact@victimsupport.org.uk
Website: www.victimsupport.org
Offers confidential support and advice to anyone affected by a crime, no matter how long ago it happened. The informative website features facts and guidance on the help available for victims of crime, and you can find out details of your local branch.

websites

Couples warned over peeping toms disguised as plants
www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_506240.html
Brief article from the Ananova website on the bizarre lengths to which Malaysian voyeurs have gone to catch a glimpse of their unsuspecting victims.

Metropolitan Police
www.met.police.uk/sapphire/documents/Adults.pdf
PDF booklet entitled Adults – Safer From Sexual Crime outlining the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

'Peeping Tom' pictures may become federal crime
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/167553_pacphones.html?searchpagefrom=1&searchdiff=3
Article from the Seattle Post online site detailing moves in the US to curb the recent increase in Peeping Toms, behaviour that has become more widespread with the increase and availability of ever-smaller and more sophisticated visual technologies

Q&A: Sex Offences Act
http://society.guardian.co.uk/crimeandpunishment/story/0,8150,843186,00.html
Article examining Britain's recently overhauled sex laws. As well as aiming to take a tougher approach towards flashers and peeping toms, it also attempts to tackle the many problems brought on by the onset of the digital age.

Sapphire
www.met.police.uk/sapphire/sapphire_sexualassault.htm
This section of the extensive Metropolitan Police website features the contact details of numerous Sexual Assault Referral Centres situated throughout the UK.

Setting the Boundaries: Reforming the law on sex offences
www.homeoffice.gov.uk/docs/vol1main.pdf
The summary report and recommendations published by the Home Office. The report sets out a brief description of the thoughts of the review panel, and their 62 recommendations from the review.

Sex Offenders Act 1997
www.hmso.gov.uk/acts/acts1997/1997051.htm
Official government documentation site provides access to the entirety of this previous Act of Parliament.

Sexual Offences Act 2003
www.hmso.gov.uk/acts/acts2003/20030042.htm#aofs
Official government site reveals each and every clause of the new Act, designed to make "new provision about sexual offences, their prevention and the protection of children from harm from other sexual acts".

Sexual Offences Act – Home Office guidance
www.homeoffice.gov.uk/justice/sentencing/sexualoffencesbill/index.html
Further link to the official Home Office site that features examination and explanation of this important area of legislation. Site also features links to numerous other related topics.

UK Police Force
www.police.uk/forces/default.asp
Should you wish to report an incident, or merely contact your local force, this section of the UK Police website enables you to locate the contact details of the relevant police department for your enquiry.

Victims of Crime
www.homeoffice.gov.uk/justice/victims/index.html
Home Office resource outlining the reforms of the Criminal Justice System. Includes an explanation of what will happen if you report a crime to the police and provides links to the New Deal policy for Victims and Witnesses and related subjects.

Victims Virtual Walkthrough
www.cjsonline.gov.uk/victim/walkthrough/index.html
A unique and interactive online guide for victims of crime, designed to guide people through the multiple stages they will encounter once they report a crime, including police investigations, prosecution decision making, court processes and sentencing.

reading

	Blackstone's Guide to the Sexual Offences Act by Kim Stevenson, Anne Davies, Michael Gunn (Oxford University Press, 2004) Analysis, clarification and insight into the many changes and developments prescribed by the recent Sexual Offences Act. Includes a full copy of the Act. Get this book
	Sexual Deviance: Issues and Controversies edited by Tony Ward, D Richard Laws and Stephen Hudson (Sage Publications Ltd, 2002) Book that examines the reasons behind sexually deviant behaviour, and the controversial issue of how to deal with its aftermath. The editors are world renowned authorities in the field of understanding and treating sex offenders. Get this book
	Juvenile Sexual Offending: Causes, Consequences, and Correction by Gail D Ryan, Sandy L Lane (Jossey Bass Wiley, 1997) Investigates the high number of juvenile sexual offenders – those that commit acts such as rape, exhibitionism, voyeurism, fetishism and obscene communication. Also provides an understanding into the personalities of the young people who commit such sexual offences, and the relevant available treatment. Get this book
	Sex Offender Treatment: Accomplishments, Challenges, and Future Directions edited by Michael H Miner, Eli Coleman (Haworth Press, Inc, 2003) An overview of sex offender treatment, this book examines current treatment practices, service provision and research, their levels of success and hopes for future developments. Get this book
	Sexual Deviance: Theory, Assessment, and Treatment edited by D Richard Laws, W O'Donohue (Guilford Press, 1997) A definitive resource detailing the full range of paraphilias, including voyeurism, exhibitionism and fetishism. Covers issues such as psychopathology, aetiology, methods of assessment and the treatment of disorders. Get this book
	Cognitive Behavioural Treatment of Sexual Offenders by William Marshall, Dana Anderson, Yolanda M Fernandez (John Wiley and Sons Ltd, 1999) An invaluable asset for practitioner-researchers working with adult male sexual offenders. Get this book

(May 2004, resources updated February 2005)