Penalties For Video Voyeurism

PERPETRATOR UNDER THE AGE OF 19:

• Up to 12 months of probation

• Up to 12 months in jail

• Up to $1,000 in fines

• First-degree misdemeanor

PERPETRATOR OVER THE AGE OF 19:

• Up to 5 years of probation

• Up to 5 years in prison

• Up to $5,000 in fines

• Third-degree felony

PERPETRATOR WITH A PRIOR CONVICTION:

• Up to 15 years of probation

• Up to 15 years in prison

• Up to $10,000 in fines

• Second-degree felony

VIDEO VOYEURISM AGAINST A CHILD:

• Up to 15 years of probation

• Up to 15 years in prison

• Up to $10,000 in fines

• Second-degree felony video voyeurism. According to media reports, Gorman said he didn’t know it was illegal to take the photos. Police found more than 450 photos of women along with eight upskirt photos and one video of young girls on his cellphone.

This type of voyeurism has become so commonplace that authorities have named it “upskirt” and “downblouse” voyeurism.

It Could Happen To You

According to a Pinellas County Sheri ’s O ce report, an 81-year-old woman and a 59-year-old man were unknowingly video recorded having consensual sexual relations in one of the rooms at a St. Petersburg assisted living facility. The video was then posted on the social media site Snapchat where it was viewed by a St. Petersburg resident. The person then reported the video to police, and further investigation led to the arrest of Alexis Williams, 20, an employee of the facility.

Williams was arrested and charged with video voyeurism and video voyeurism dissemination. She was dismissed from the facility.

Rapidly advancing technology is making it easier than ever for video voyeurs to invade our privacy. Cellphones have become cameras and virtually any object you can name can be found for purchase online outfitted with a video and audio recording device. Cases of video voyeurism are on the rise around the country. The word from law enforcement is to be alert at all times in all places.

“Most people have the mentality that ‘this can’t possibly happen to me’ but it can happen to anyone,” Detective Wiles warns. Always be aware of your surroundings. If you go into a dressing room, a restroom in a public place or even just

• Sex o ender designation shopping, look around. Watch for persons lurking near you or near changing rooms. Look for objects that seems to be out of place, such as a smoke alarm that shouldn’t be there. If you discover something, check it out. Take it down and look inside it. If you do find a camera, confiscate it and call the police. If you don’t take possession of it, the person who placed it there may take it and destroy it. Keep it in your possession until police arrive and then give it to them. Always, always be on the lookout in all places.”