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.