Voyeurism and Upskirting
Voyeurism is when someone watches or records another person carrying out a private or sexual act without their knowledge or consent, usually for the purpose of sexual gratification.
This can include secretly filming someone during a private or sexual act, using hidden recording equipment or taking intimate images underneath someone's clothing, known as upskirting.
If you have been secretly recorded or intimate footage of you has been shared online, there are steps you can take to report what has happened and get further support.
What is voyeurism?
Voyeurism can involve someone watching, recording or using equipment to observe another person carrying out a private act without their consent.
This could include:
Secretly watching someone carrying out a private or sexual act
Recording someone during a private or sexual act without their knowledge
Using a hidden camera or other equipment to watch or record someone
Installing or adapting equipment to secretly watch someone
Secretly recording someone while they are undressing or in another private situation
Taking an image or video underneath someone's clothing without their consent
Voyeurism can happen without any content being shared online. However, secretly recorded images or videos may later be sent to other people, uploaded to websites or shared across social media, which can become a wider form of intimate image abuse.
What is upskirting?
Upskirting involves using a phone, camera or other equipment underneath someone's clothing to view or record their genitals, buttocks or underwear without their consent.
Despite the name, someone doesn't need to be wearing a skirt for this to happen. Upskirting became a specific voyeurism offence in England and Wales in 2019. For the specific offence to apply, the person responsible must be acting for the purpose of sexual gratification or to humiliate, alarm or distress the person being recorded.
What does the law say about voyeurism and upskirting?
Voyeurism is a sexual offence. In England and Wales, voyeurism offences are covered by the Sexual Offences Act 2003. The law covers certain circumstances where someone watches or records another person carrying out a private act without their consent for sexual gratification. It can also cover operating, installing or adapting equipment for this purpose.
Upskirting is also covered by voyeurism legislation. It can be an offence to operate equipment underneath someone's clothing to view or record their genitals, buttocks or underwear without their consent where the required intention is sexual gratification or causing humiliation, alarm or distress.
Voyeurism offences can carry a maximum prison sentence of two years. As voyeurism is a sexual offence, victims are also entitled to anonymity, meaning they should not be identified by the media in connection with the offence.
If intimate images or videos obtained through voyeurism are later shared online without consent, additional intimate image offences may also apply.
The Online Safety Act 2023 places duties on regulated online services to protect UK users, including adults, from illegal content and activity. Platforms also have their own rules around privacy, sexual content and non-consensual intimate imagery, so secretly recorded intimate content can be reported directly to the service where it appears.
How do I report voyeurism or upskirting?
If you discover that someone has secretly recorded you, there are some steps you can take.
Collect evidence
Keep as much information as you can about what has happened.
This could include:
- details of the person who recorded you, if known
- where and when the recording happened
- information about how you believe the content was recorded
- screenshots of messages or conversations about the recording
- usernames and account details
- URLs if the content has been shared online
You don't need to repeatedly view or share the intimate content itself to collect evidence.
Report it to the police
Voyeurism and upskirting are sexual offences and can be reported to the police.
You can contact the police using 101 or report online. If you receive a crime or case reference number, keep a record of it. This can make it easier to provide additional information or ask for an update without having to repeatedly explain what has happened.
If you're in immediate danger or at risk of physical harm, call 999.
Report content that has been shared online
If the recording has been uploaded to a website, social media platform or another online service, report it directly to the platform.
Look for reporting options relating to non-consensual intimate imagery, privacy, intimate image abuse or sexual content shared without consent.
Contact the Revenge Porn Helpline
If you're an adult in the UK and intimate footage of you has been recorded or shared without your consent, the Revenge Porn Helpline can provide specialist advice and support.
If the content has been shared online, they may also be able to help you understand your options for reporting and removal.
Further Support
Police
Voyeurism and upskirting can be reported to the police by calling 101 or making a report online.
If you're in immediate danger,
CALL 999.