Winneythepooh,

If this happens all the time in your community, I think you should urge your local precinct to do something about this, because as harmless as this "Act" seems to people, these things lead to other things, i.e. stalking, B&E, Rape and even murder. It's just a matter of time.

I definately agree that people should not be making jokes about serious issues like this one.

Hope you're alright Winney!

If you were funny like this people would like you a lot more.

-Rudey

It Doesn't Matter where you live : in the city or the Suburbs. You have to keep a watchful eye on everything around you.

...and the rest of us don't really care about all of your "inside" jokes posted all over GC. So I would say, if you don't like winneythepooh's posts, then don't read them, just like others skip over the nonsense threads you enjoy posting in.

but how is one person's university different from another's home neighborhood? are they not the respective people's homes? i went to school in small town ohio and i saw this happen. i've heard of it, but haven't seen it, in the city where i live now. unfortunately, it's something that happens and there usually isn't much that can be done about it unless a police officer catches it. i also don't see it as being a sex crime, just public indecency.

Not to reply for Kathleen, but since she and I were saying the same things and live in the same town, I think I'm qualified to answer this.

I don't go to the university or live anywhere near it. I work in the middle of downtown, and we have a park directly across the street from my office. 99% of the people in the park are people from the surrounding office buildings getting some fresh air. The other 1% are freaks who enjoy doing strange things to get reactions out of the people who are trying to get fresh air. I don't know if they're college students or not... I haven't exactly interviewed them. In fact, I do my best to completely ignore them, because they're probably just looking to get a rise out of someone (I'm sorry, that was a really bad pun and unintentional). I don't worry about it, though, because I practice smart behaviour (always walking with someone else, even in the daytime, etc.) and I know that all of the companies keep a good eye on the area (I work with the security dept. at my company). Cops drive by pretty regularly and pick people up if they're becoming a nuisance.

I haven't seen it in the neighbourhood that I live in, but that's probably because everyone knows one another and it's mostly old ladies and young families. Anyone else is going to seem out of place anyway, and people here are too nosy for someone to get away with that.

They are old men, they are young men, they are probably even women but that's a little easier to hide. My university is in the heart of a major city, I'm not sure you all get that...it is IN downtown, it is not a seperate neighborhood.

Anyway, she called the police. Nothing else she does is legal after that - if she goes hunting after the man, that's called stalking, and that's not legal either.

You're not doing a very good job. :(

Dudes, I just about peed my pants when I read this!

I haven't ever seen someone stroking the gopher in public, but then, I've only lived in Milwaukee for two months. I guess I have something to look forward to now. :p

Winney, way to be proactive and not let a couple of fat, lazy, middle-aged male cops tell you that your safety and security isn't their concern. I think it's commendable that you called the Hotline and got something done about the problem.

But as one who has actually experienced a hands-on sex crime, I agree with PM_Mama that the phrase should be used to describe actual contact or threatened assault. There should be a lesser categorization for flashing, streaking, and whacking off in public, though the crime shouldn't just be laughed off.

KKC, try the #30 bus. Not only will you ride past my apartment, you are GUARANTEED to meet a weirdo.

Oh my gosh! Whackers love public transportation. My only flashing/public masturbation experience was on a bus. My sister's multiple experiences involved buses or the subway.

The majority of mine involve the bus as well. :)

I only see girls peeing on the subway.

I've seen this more times than I can count. Men just love to show their penii on the subway. Like Ginger said, stuff like this is just one of the drawbacks of living in a metropolitan area.

I can't say that I'm traumatized by someone polishing the bishop in public. Nine times out of ten, they're drunk or crazy. I refuse to define it as a sex crime, because it is not in the same category as rape or molestation.

I agree KappaKittyCat. Rape and indecent exposure are on two different levels. Winney ,no woman should have to see a strange man expose himself in public. I think you're a bit over the top to say that you're traumatized. You're an adult and I doubt that was you first time seeing a man's genitals. This was your reality check and you did something about it .

Unfortunately, the world is a scary place. All women should take a self-defense course and educate themselves in what to do in these situations.

try riding one during the wee hours of the morning. believe me, you'll be amazed.

I would agree with everyone who said that it's not a sex crime. It's gross, and I wouldn't want to see it either, but I think calling it a sex crime is demeaning to the victims of rape and molestation.

I'm guessing that most of the people who do this are doing it for attention, so the best way to fight it would be to ignore them, then call the cops from a safe location.

You know, he may be doing his thang and thinking about you again as we speak.

The only ones I've ever seen are on the T late at night...and it hasn't been many of those at that.

Maybe Boston is a whacker-free city?

Update: It is getting worse
 

So I just get home and there is a message from my upstairs neighbor that his female friend who lives in our neighborhood was walking home the other night and was approached by a guy who started talking to her. She ignored him and he followed her to her building, and put his hands up her skirt. We don't know if it is the same person but regardless, what can be done about this behavior before anything WORSE happens. I feel like my hands are tied.

:eek: i hope some kind of punishment gets done immediately. i would not be surprised if it was the same guy. :mad:

Re: Update: It is getting worse
 

Start carrying pepper spray, a taser if they're legal, etc.

Have 'em ready to go whenever you're in that area.

thanks ktsnake. i always have a huge thing of mace with me at all times. it sucks though because even though i am on my guard at all times, it sucks when this stuff begins happening so close to home, literally. and it is such a feeling of powerlessness that nothing can be done.

Re: Re: Update: It is getting worse
 

I hope the woman is ok and filed a police report.

I agree with the pepper spray. I'm not sure about the legality of tasers. I think that you should carry a cell phone and a whistle. Also try to go places with someone.

I think that you should contact the local police station about starting a neighborhood watch association and increasing the police presence. I'm not suggesting being a vigilante and going after the creep. I just want you and your neighbors to be safe.

Re: Update: It is getting worse
 

Re: Re: Update: It is getting worse
 

Going back and forth of what "is" and "isn't" sexual assault is not why I started this thread. The point of the thread is trying to figure out what to do to stop ALL of this stuff from happening. I don't mean to come off as a bitch, but it gets really annoying dealing with the people who have been making fun of this stuff and I know this isn't the only thread it goes on in. I just think that needs to be said because this is real stuff and not anything that should be taken lightly or as a "joke".

Re: Re: Re: Update: It is getting worse
 

Well I don't think its that. I think its just that in perspective it seems like a small thing. Out of all the days you have lived there you have seen this one thing.

Other people that live in metropolitan areas see off-color stuff all the time.

If you want to make this into your cause, thats up to you.

It just doesn't seem serious enough in the Grand Scheme of things to make those of us that may have a little more worldly experience (or are less sensitive) get overly excited or worried.

And honestly, its the kind of story that a lot of people would relate at a party to be funny. Thats why some of the guys were amused.

Personally, I was tempted to ask if he finished or not . . .

Re: Re: Re: Update: It is getting worse
 

mace probably isn't legal where you are, and even if it is, it's not the safest thing on the planet - often it can be used against you, and it proves ineffective quite often (say, against those on drugs or who are drunk). A taser is probably worse.

The whistle is a much smarter idea.

winney, I am so sorry this happened to you. I would feel violated too. Is there any news on what happened to your neighbor? Did she file a report. I really hope that she is okay. :) Go you for being so proactive in making sure your neighborhood remains a safe place for all that live there. I applaud you.


Now on to the whole is this or isn't this a sex crime debate I decided to look up the defination of a sex crime and here is what I found (I posted the link below the defination):



Sex crimes are forms of human sexual behavior that are crimes. Someone who commits one is said to be a sex offender.

Some sex crimes are crimes of violence that involve sex. Others are violations of social taboos, such as indecent exposure.

There is much variation among cultures as to what is considered a crime or not, and in what ways or to what extent crimes are punished.

Acts regarded as crimes almost universally include the following non-consensual sex crimes:

Child sexual abuse or molestation
Child pornography (definition varies significantly)
Incest
Lust murder
Rape, sexual assault and other forms of sexual abuse
Sexual harassment is also viewed as a crime in Western cultures.

Liberal western cultures are far more tolerant of acts such as oral sex or transvestism that have traditionally been held to be crimes in some other cultures, but combine this with lesser tolerance for the remaining crimes.

Cultures with highly censorious sex laws regarding adult sex acts often have high levels of concealed sexual abuse, particularly of children.

Many consensual sexual actions or activities are only viewed as crimes in some jurisdictions, including:

Adultery
Anal sex
Sex among juveniles (usually as Statutory rape)
Homosexuality
Oral sex
Various Paraphilias/Fetishes such as
transvestic fetishism
BDSM
Pornography
Prostitution and/or pimping
Ownership of vibrators and other sex toys

http://www.wordiq.com/definition/Sexual_crime


So the way I'm reading it is that indecent exposure "might" be considered a sex crime but it might be more "social taboo".

Just thought I would post the information so that it would be a bit clearer on what is considered a sex crime and what isn't. :)

I personally considered it a sex crime because what he did was sexual in nature, but I would guess that it varies from state to state and police department to police department.

Re: Re: Re: Update: It is getting worse
 

Just get some friends of yours to kick his ass.

It might help.

ewww what a sicko!

RANT
 

OKAY here is my rant for the day:

So nothing really has happened since all of this back in August. I've been walking the dog in our small front yard late at nite and early in the morning (before 7am). Well today, my boyfriend was outside after I walked the dog (before 7am) and he comes in all in a huff. I asked him what was wrong and he says my neighbor upstairs was complaining that I was walking the dog in the yard. First of all, the yard is shared. Second of all, it is overgrown with weeds and no one in the 3 apartments uses it. Third, I ALWAYS pick up after him and fourth, I only walk him here late at night and early in the morning in the yard. When I leave for work (around 8 am) and all other times I walk him down the block. Her gripe is "what if she misses picking something up......" I haven't run into her yet but I am waiting. I plan to tell her that I am NOT going to stop walking him here given the circumstances and how would she feel if this was her daughter this had happened to (she has a daughter in her early 20's). After that I plan to let the landlord deal with it, who basically does nothing for any of the apartments except collect the rent. Anyone else deal with a bitchy neighbor complaining about use of a shared communal space? I understand her "right" that this shared area isn't used as a "bathroom" but if no one is using the yard anyways I don't understand what the big deal is except her being petty.......no pun intended............