Mass Governor signs bill outlawing 'upskirting,' a new trend for guys to take photos of what's beneath women's skirts, in public places. The 'Peeping Tom' law exposed a man picked up by cops was fighting charges for upskirting on the subway in 2010.
Despite the appalling public outcry, a court in the state of Massachusetts ruled that it was ok for a man to 'upskirt' since his photos revealed no nudity of any sort. The supreme judicial court in the state maintained that it was illegal to secretly photograph or record a person who was nude or partially nude. The court's verdict was that there was not nudity in 'upskirting.'
This might be deja' vu all over again from the way the public is reacting to Google Glass - to the point where wearers of the technology are asked questions about the Glass, and asked to remove it in pubs and restaurants out of fear of secret photographs and video taking at the wink of an eye.
An account of an upskirting victim's interview with CNN hits the issue on the nail as far as privacy and respect for women are concerned:
"Hhager 85 shared a personal account of what is was like to be a victim of "upskirting" while shopping at a mall in Fairfax County, Virginia, in July 2011. "Upskirting" is a voyeuristic form of photography where a person takes images underneath another person's clothes. Her essay came in response to a ruling Wednesday by Massachusetts' highest court that it was legal for people to photograph and record video under a person's clothing. However, Massachusetts lawmakers passed a bill Thursday banning the practice and Gov. Deval Patrick signed the bill into law on Friday," says Hhager 85.
Hager says the incident totally changed the way she views her body. 'My body is mine, but I have since realized that other people are under the mistaken opinion that they can lay claim to it,' she said. 'Our society is overly sexualized because of the advertising and media industries, in my opinion, and it has made people immune to the gravity of sexual assault and violence,' reports Jareen Imam, CNN Producer.
Here are some of the reactions to upskirtig on Twitter:
@brendonwalsh "upskirting" in Boston. pic.twitter.com/5TqcL3OEMw
The Boston Globe @BostonGlobe 21h
"It is sexual harassment. It is an assault on another person" -- Senate President Therese Murray on "upskirting" https://b.globe.com/1e75PQP
Cynthia Needham @CynthiaNeedham 23h
Watching upskirting ban bill fly thru Mass. Legislature is a reminder how fast they can pass bills when they want to. https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/03/06/after-high-court-ruling-upskirting-legislative-leaders-pledge-quick-action/tOEXdCp3njrC07Kd7SkGDJ/story.html ...
James Gleick @JamesGleick Mar 5
Shakespeare's lexicon was practically limitless, yet he apparently didn't know, or need, the word "upskirting." https://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/massachusetts-court-legal-upskirt-photos-transit ...
Governor Deval Patrick inked a law Friday quickly revoking the ruling and making it a punishable crime of up to 2 ½ years. in prison, along with a $5000 fine, the Guardian reports. The state legislation held that it was illegal to photograph"sexual or other intimate parts" of women and children in public.
If the crime concerned children, the prison would be 5 years and the fine would be $10,000.
Senate President Therese Murray's statement in a press release said, "We are sending a message that to take a photo or video of a woman under her clothing is morally reprehensible and, in Massachusetts, we will put you in jail for doing it."
One comment from CTVnews said, "How truly nauseating that a bill has to be signed into law prohibiting this behaviour. I don't know who is less intelligent, humans or monkeys swinging from vines.
A draft of the legislation banning upskirting is shown here.
With Reports by CNN
