A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z

This entry is part of the BDSM Dictionary hosted by Informed Consent.

This is the version from 21 Jul 07, 11:40 PM. The full history of this entry will show any more recent versions.

ICcode for "Voyeurism"

[b]Voyeurism[/b] is a practice in which an individual derives sexual
pleasure from observing other people. Such people may be engaged in
[about=sexual acts]sexual acts[/about], or be nude or in underwear, or
dressed in whatever other way the "voyeur" finds appealing.

Voyeuristic practices may take a number of forms but its characteristic
feature is that the voyeur does not directly interact with the object of
their voyeurism (often unaware that they are being observed), instead
observing the act from a distance, peeping through an opening, and/or
using techniques like binoculars, a mirror, camera (including camera
phone and video camera), etc., and this stimulus becomes part of a
[about=masturbation]masturbation[/about] fantasy during or after the
observation.

Some voyeurs derive sexual pleasure from looking up skirts or trousers,
known as an [b]upskirt[/b]. This can be accomplished by camera or simply
by a chance viewing when a person sits down. Some voyeurs also derive
pleasure by looking down shirts and viewing breasts, particularly when a
person is bending over. This is commonly referred to as a [b]downblouse[/b].

When done openly it may or may not be appreciated, depending on the
other person(s) being [about=exhibitionist]exhibitionistic[/about].

Non-consensual voyeurism is an invasion of privacy.

Voyeurism is considered a deviant sexual act and even a [about=sex
crime]sex crime[/about] in most cultures, is most frequently practiced
by males, and is tolerated to some degree in certain societies depending
upon the circumstances (e.g., adolescent "Peeping Toms"). Sites such as
http://www.Privatevoyeur.com and http://www.voyeurweb.com depict
voyeurism as it is used and condoned in some societies.

In the United Kingdom, non-consensual voyeurism became a criminal
offence on May 01, 2004, under the [about=Sexual Offences Act
2003]Sexual Offences Act 2003[/about].

Some organizations and places have started to ban camera phones because
of the privacy issues they raise, and to combat voyeurism, e.g. several
gym]s in the United States. One country, Saudi Arabia, has banned the
sale of camera phones nationwide (although pilgrims on the hajj are
allowed to bring in camera phones). Another, South Korea, requires that
all camera phones sold in the country make a clearly audible sound
whenever a picture is taken.


[heading]See also


[item][about=paraphilia]Paraphilia[/about]

[item][about=BDSM and the law]BDSM and the law[/about]


[heading]External links


[item][url=http://www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/acts/acts2003/30042--b.htm#67]UK
law on voyeurism[/url]

[item][url=http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c108:S.1301:]proposed
US Video Voyeurism Prevention Act of 2003[/url]




(This entry in the BDSM Dictionary incorporates text from the
[url=http://www.londonfetishscene.com/wipi/index.php/Voyeurism]Voyeurism[/url]
article in Wipipedia.)

This entry is published under the terms of the GFDL. People with profiles on Informed Consent can improve this entry: see the BDSM Dictionary help page for details.