Upskirting is a form of sexual harassment that is becoming more and more common. Many people are unaware that upskirt photos are not only illegal but also disrespectful, intrusive and unacceptable behavior.
Unfortunately, due to the prevalence of upskirt photography, it’s important to know how to respond effectively if you find yourself in such a situation.
Learning about the various tactics for responding effectively to an upskirting situation can help protect one from violations, empower those who have experienced them, and send a clear message that such behavior is unacceptable.
In this article, we will look at how to respond effectively if someone tries to take an upskirt photo of you without your permission.
Here are a few tips on how to respond if you ever find yourself the victim of upskirting:
1. Remain Calm
The first thing to remember if you find yourself in this situation is to remain as calm as possible. While it’s understandable that your initial reaction might be one of shock, yelling or screaming won’t help the situation. Instead, take a deep breath, mentally step away from the situation and think through your best course of action.
2. Report the Incident
Once you’ve gathered, report the incident immediately and call for help if necessary. Depending on the severity of the incident, authorities may need to get involved before any further action can be taken – especially if there have been multiple instances of upskirting reported in your area.
3. Document Important Details
When reporting an upskirting incident, it’s important to document as much information as possible about the individual who committed the act, including their exact location at the time (if applicable), descriptions of their clothing, any suspicious behavior they exhibited beforehand, and whether they have any known connections with anyone else in the area.
And then, be sure to collect any physical evidence, such as photos or video footage, to help bolster your case should legal action be pursued later.
4. Stay Safe
Stay safe after reporting an upskirting incident by avoiding situations where you could be vulnerable to further harassment.
This includes avoiding dark alleys, crowded areas, and any other places where you may feel unsafe. Additionally, it’s important to stay aware of your surroundings and trust your instincts if something feels off.
Remember that safety comes first, and if you ever find yourself in a situation where you feel threatened or unsafe, don’t hesitate to call for help.
5. Know Your Rights
If you have experienced upskirting, you must be aware of your legal rights. In most countries, upskirting is a criminal offence.
In some countries, it is illegal to do so even when no intentional humiliation or detriment takes place. Knowing your legal rights will help you make informed decisions if/when you choose to take action against the perpetrator.
6. Seek Support
Experiencing unwanted surveillance can be incredibly traumatizing, and its effects may linger long after an incident has occurred.
It’s important to reach out for support during times like these, so you don’t feel alone while dealing with something as personal and traumatic as sexual harassment or high-tech voyeurism.
Consider finding local organizations that specialize in providing trauma counselling services, or find someone who resonates with you online for anonymous advice.
7. Get Help From Law Enforcement
If you have experienced upskirting, it is important to report the incident to law enforcement. This will help ensure that the perpetrator is held accountable for their actions and can also help prevent future incidents from occurring.
Meanwhile, reporting the incident may give you access to resources such as counselling or legal aid to help you through this difficult time.
8. Reach Out For Support
It is perfectly okay if talking through everything that happened overwhelms or makes you uncomfortable. Besides, reach out for professional counselling or support groups to help you process the incident. Talking to someone trained in understanding and handling such cases can be a great way to get the support you need.
9. Make Educating Others Part Of The Solution
Upskirting is a serious issue that needs to be addressed. One way to do this is by educating others about the issue and what they can do if they experience it.
Consider talking to friends, family, or colleagues about upskirting and how to respond effectively if it happens. You can also reach out to local organizations or schools to provide educational resources.
How to Prevent
Upskirting is a disturbing act that refers to taking unauthorized photos or videos of someone’s inner clothing, usually under their skirts.
Unfortunately, this type of harassment continues to occur in many public spaces.
However, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself from becoming an upskirting victim.
1. Be Aware and Vigilant
One good way to prevent upskirting is by practising situational awareness and staying vigilant while out in public. Stay aware of your surroundings, including who might be nearby or following you too closely. If anything looks suspicious, go elsewhere or leave the area immediately if possible.
2. Choose Clothing Wisely
Your clothing choices can help you stay safe from upskirting incidents and other similarly invasive behaviour like groping or catcalling. Choose clothing that covers your legs completely – like jeans, slacks or a maxi skirt.
Rather than shorter skirts and dresses, which can make it harder for potential offenders to get away with taking photos without your knowledge.
3. Carry Accessories That May Help Block Against Upskirt Attempts
Carrying items, such as scarves, hats, or even a backpack, on your hips can also impede upskirts from getting access to underneath your skirts and dresses. This is especially useful when you may not have time to adjust your outfit before someone tries inappropriate manoeuvres towards you.
4. Keep Your Back To Walls
When standing near walls or other structures, try making sure your back meets them during interactions with unfamiliar people who could take advantage by trying something like an upskirt attempt without your knowledge.
Placing your back against solid surfaces makes it very difficult for someone to look through any other angle besides what is directly in front of you, thereby reducing their chances of success in performing such behavior around you.
5. Be Aware Of Your Surroundings
When navigating through unfamiliar places, be aware of what’s happening around you at all times – look for suspicious characters walking around with cameras or phones in plain view taking pictures.
Even if they are busy photographing the landscape, it never hurts to be extra cautious and alert at all times so that you can react quickly if need be, should an incident arise.
6. Trust Your Gut Instinct
If something doesn’t feel right, trust your gut instinct and call out anyone who might be trying to take photos up your skirt or filming beneath your clothing without permission.
Remember that there are laws against upskirting which offer some legal protection for victims, so use them when needed!
7. Report Such Incidents Immediately
Finally, always report any upskirting incident, whether witnessed first-hand or online, as soon as possible by contacting the relevant authorities – doing this will go a long way in helping other women from becoming victimized in the future and protect themselves from such heinous acts.
8. Invest in Anti-Upskirt Technology
Organizations and companies are developing anti-upskirt technologies designed to identify and stop upskirting before it can start.
Devices such as wearable alarms for women equipped with sensors (like those offered by companies like Blossom) will emit loud noises and sound alerts when someone moves too close to you.
Other products like security cameras with built-in facial recognition can scan for violations like upskirting.
Ending
Responding if you’re upskirted is an important way to fight against unwanted sexual attention and objectification.
Reacting sends the message that you are not a passive victim and that sexual harassment will not be tolerated. It also helps empower other upskirting victims to come forward and speak out against the injustice they have endured, as it shows that there are people who take a stand against this type of behavior.
Lastly, responding if you’re upskirted can deter potential perpetrators from upskirting again, as they may know that their actions aren’t unseen or without consequence.