Fighting a High Tech Peeping Tom
According to writings from centuries ago, the expression Peeping Tom came from the man who broke the promise not to look when Lady Godiva rode naked through the town. In modern times, the name refers to someone caught spying on others. Typically, they are watching the person in their home or other private area. Also known as voyeurs, they often peep on someone getting dressed, showering or in some other vulnerable state.
With our technology-driven times, access to watch people is now available in many different ways. No longer does this criminal have to crouch in the bushes or peer through binoculars to violate someone’s privacy.
Hidden Cameras
There have been countless reports of businesses, even large corporations, discovering hidden cameras in bathrooms, dressing rooms and locker rooms. These are often placed there by an employee or other unauthorized person with ill intent. They may go unnoticed for weeks or months. As a result, the Peeping Tom has access to hundreds of people in various states of undress or using the restroom.
One case that got some media attention was a homeowner who was renting his place out to people. He hid cameras in the bedroom and bathroom to watch his guests. Finally, teenagers staying at the house noticed micro SD cards inserted in what looked like phone chargers in the bathroom. They discovered these were actually cameras and turned over the cards to the police. The homeowner was arrested.
However, the laws are different in each state about video surveillance in areas where there should be an expectation of privacy. According to the Society for Human Resources Management, in Texas, “it is unlawful to videotape or record another person in a bathroom, private dressing room or any other location without his or her consent for the purpose of sexual gratification or to invade his or her privacy.”
Upskirting
Upskirting describes when someone uses a covert camera, usually a cell phone, to video or take pictures up women’s skirts. Huff Post reported in August 2019 that a man in Madrid was arrested for taking a video up a woman’s dress. He used a cell phone hidden in his backpack. When police searched his devices, they found over 500 videos he had taken of women and girls this way. Shockingly, he had been posting these online and had millions of views.
Unfortunately, often existing laws don’t really cover this particular activity. Some jurisdictions were unable to successfully prosecute because the existing statues did not cover these acts. Even when “caught in the act,” some were allowed to go free. Lawmakers are having to come up with new laws to criminalize this behavior. Many states have already put these laws in place. In Texas, it is illegal to take a picture or video of a person’s intimate area if that person has a reasonable expectation that the area is not subject to public view.
Drones
Recreational drones are used by hobbyists for many fun and harmless purposes. While most people have only good intentions, some do not. People have reported drones used to watch people through windows or when sunbathing on private property. Women living in a high rise building in Florida were disturbed to see drones flying outside their windows. Given how high up their apartments were, they had an expectation of privacy. Their floor could not be seen from the ground or neighboring buildings. So imagine how upset they were to find out the police had pictures from a drone of the inside of one of the women’s apartments.
Criminal behavior
These voyeuristic acts are often crimes. Whether they fall under invasion of privacy laws or other more specific laws around surveillance, many times they can be prosecuted. Sometimes the punishments are light. In some cases, the law hasn’t caught up with the acts yet and they are not punished. But what is most troubling is research showing the correlation between those convicted of sexual assault and prior voyeuristic behavior. In particular, a study from 2016 showed “a significant percentage of criminals who commit sexual assaults report a history of voyeurism or exhibitionism.” This correlation suggests Peeping Toms may escalate their behavior to something far more dangerous. These acts should be not downplayed. The law should be stricter about punishing and treatment for these predators.
We Can Help
Keep Peeping Toms from watching you at home or your business. Call Cultris Security at 281-506-8466 or visit us online for help with an intrusion or camera system.
