Articles
Proposed NY Voyeurism Law "Creepy"
The New York Civil Liberties Union earlier this week referred to proposed voyeurism legislation as “creepy lawmaking.” Under the proposed law, nonconsensual voyeurism—peeping, gawking, spying and the like—would be misdemeanor crimes punishable by a $500 fine and up to 90 days in jail.
Currently, these acts are technically legal so long as the subject of the voyeurism is not being recorded on camera and no other crimes like stalking or trespassing are involved.
Complaints Prompt Action
City Councilman Peter F. Vallone, Jr. proposed the bill after women in Queens complained about a strange man looking up their skirts from under the steps of an elevated subway.
If passed, the new legislation would make looking at a person’s “sexual or other intimate parts in other than a cursory manner” illegal.
Bill Invites “Abuse,” “Prejudice”
However, the NYCLU is raising issue with the bill.
“The problem with this legislation is that it’s trying to get at this amorphous, vague behavior of looking, which is very imprecise,” said Donna Lieberman, executive director of the group. “What kind of look is degrading, and therefore unlawful, who’s to say?”
Because the law is based largely on subjective assessments, Lieberman says it represents “an invitation to abuse, to selective enforcement based on the whims or prejudice of the individual police officer.”
Vallone responded to the criticism by emphasizing that “great pains” were taken to “make sure that the normal admiration of God’s creation was not made illegal.
(Source: New York Times online)
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