Voyeurism
Voyeurism is a practice in which an individual derives sexual pleasure from observing other people. Such people may be engaged in sexual acts, 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 masturbation fantasy during or after the observation.When done openly it may or may not be appreciated, depending on the other person(s) being exhibitionistic.
Non-consensual voyeurism is an invasion of privacy.
Voyeurism is considered a deviant sexual act and even a sex crime 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 Privatevoyeur.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 Sexual Offences Act 2003.
In several gyms in the United States, camera phones are confiscated at the entrances, in efforts to ensure privacy and combat voyeurism, which in some states, is considered a sex crime.
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