What is Voyeurism?
Voyeurism is the act of recording a private or sexual image or video of someone without their knowledge or consent for sexual gratification.
There are four main offences within the voyeurism legislation:
- Getting sexual gratification from watching another person doing a private sexual act and not knowing they have been watched
- Operating equipment with the intention of having them or someone else watching for sexual gratification from an unconsenting person doing a private act
- Recording an unconsenting person doing a private act and does with intention of them or someone else getting sexual gratification
- Installing equipment, or constructs or adapts a structure or part of a structure with the intention of watching an unconsenting person doing a private act for sexual gratification
Is it against the law?
Voyeurism is considered a sexual offence in the UK. If someone is found guilty of this offence, they can receive a maximum prison sentence of two years.
Regardless of how this footage was obtained, it is against the law. You have the right to report what has happened to the police, a outreach organisation or sex worker service may be able to help you further with this.
What to do if you have been recorded doing a private sexual act without your consent
You haven’t done anything wrong and what’s happened is not your fault. You are not alone and we are here to help you. We know it’s easier said than done but try to keep calm and follow this advice.
Collect evidence of what has happened, this may include; details of the perpetrator, where it happened, how you think the content was recorded (on a phone, webcam, etc), and screenshots of any communication where you have been told about the content or anything you feel is relevant.
On most social media platforms and reputable adult sites, non-consensual sharing of intimate images and videos will be a breach of their community standards
The Revenge Porn Helpline can help with the reporting of private sexual content that has been taken without knowledge and shared without consent. Please provide a direct URL to where this has been shared and we can help to report this on your behalf. We can never guarantee any removals but we hold a very high takedown rate.
Contact the Revenge Porn Helpline for support with reporting content.
In the UK, it is against the law to record a private or sexual image or video of someone without their knowledge or consent for sexual gratification. This is covered under Section 67 of the Sexual Offences Act (2003).
You do have the option to report what has happened to the police. You can get in touch with the police by calling their non-emergency 101 number or the online reporting form for your police force.
Make sure you keep a record of your log/case number so the police can quickly access your details if you want to add additional information or get an update on the investigation. It will also save you having to repeat what has happened over and over which may be distressing for you.
If you are in any immediate threat of physical danger or risk, call 999.
It can be helpful to access some legal advice before reporting to the police to know your options and expectations of what can happen next.
Here are some free options that offer specific legal advice to victims of voyeurism:
- The SPITE project at Queen Mary University London provides free legal advice for victims in England and Wales.
- The @RISE project at the Scottish Women's Rights Centre provides free legal advice to women in Scotland.
We understand how distressing online crimes can be and encourage all victims to reach out and get extra support if they need it. You’re not alone and help is out there.