Laws with no or little meaning in Singapore

[Fortan]

Was reading through an article just now and came across this. I was aware of it before but it made me wonder how it is governed and if someone were to report you for running around your flat naked or semi-naked, couldn't that person be charged for being a peeping tom?

Don’t walk around your house naked. In Singapore, pornography is illegal, and anything to do with it may result in imprisonment or hefty fines. Along the same lines, the country thinks that nudity has to do with pornography, too, so better watch out carefully when you dress for bed — someone might see you.

[the lynx]

Unfortunately no, peeping Toms will not be persecuted under any charge, not even outrage of modesty. Unless the said Tom installs a camera in/near your house without your permission.

On the other hand, the naked house owner will be charged for indecent exposure instead, even if you close your curtains and the said Tom 'walks by' and 'saw you naked through the crack of the curtains'.

True story.

[Sergei82]

It's ambiguous. According to one old joke:
- if a guy is walking around naked, he'll get arrested for exhibitionism,
- if a girl is walking around naked, all guys around will be arrested for voyeurism.

[Fortan]

Just reminded me of an old pub sign:

Guys: No shirt/No beer
Girls: No shirt/free beer

[Fortan]

Unfortunately no, peeping Toms will not be persecution under any charge, not even outrage of modesty. Unless the said Tom installs a camera in/near your house without your permission.

On the other hand, the naked house owner will be charged for indecent exposure instead, even if you close your curtains and the said Tom 'walks by' and 'saw you naked through the crack of the curtains'.

True story.

That's what I thought. So if I am to stand with a set of binoculars at night in my condo and look in other peoples windows, that is not considered an offence, or?

[x9200]

And if the owner says he was not walking naked? Google glasses still not that popular and capturing the naked owner with a camera could esily be a double edged sword.

[scarbowl]

It's ambiguous. According to one old joke:
- if a guy is walking around naked, he'll get arrested for exhibitionism,
- if a girl is walking around naked, all guys around will be arrested for voyeurism.

Singapore has a Women's Charter, not a Men's Charter. As a result, some crimes can be committed only by men. For example, male homosexuality is a crime but the law is silent regarding lesbians.

Even in the USA, typically only men can be charged with being a Peeping Tom. Technically, in most States, if a male is looking into a room occupied by a woman without her knowledge he can be charged. This is regardless of whether he can even see said woman - she need only be present in the room.

[ecureilx]

Heard this old joke .. and thought of it

An old lady called the cops and told them that she can see her neighbours having sex.

The cops turned up and were duly directed to the window where the old lady claimed she can see the 'action'

Cops couldn't see nothing and said so the old lady.

The old lady persisted that they can really see it, if they stood a bit on the ledge

When this too didn't work, she insisted "USE MY TELESCOPE, YOU CAN SEE THEM VERY CLEARLY OFFICER" ...

And if the owner says he was not walking naked? Google glasses still not that popular and capturing the naked owner with a camera could esily be a double edged sword.

The SPF have woken up and started picking up the 'up skirt' filming crowd and have sent a few to the Kaki Bukit hotel .. as per the local gossip channels ..