In theory, you could walk down the street completely naked, and have nobody bat an eyelid, but the chances of that happening are slim. In Scotland he was convicted under public-order legislation and spent time in prison for contempt of court when challenging his convictions. He was arrested in both England and Scotland, with different consequences in each. Stephen Gough, attempted to hike from Lands End to John o’ Groats wearing only shoes in 2005. In Scotland, it’s slightly different, and under Scots law, “indecent conduct” in a public place, such as exposing the genitals, can constitute the offence of “public indecency”. Guidance from the Crown Prosecution Service does not recommend prosecution for public nudity if there is no intent to cause alarm.Ī naturist whose intention is limited to going about their lawful business while naked will not be guilty of Indecent Exposure or Outraging Public Decency. Here are some of the UK’s best nudist spots:įor information on safe spaces to go nude in England and Wales, head to British Naturism’s website
However, in the eyes of the law, women have equal rights to men when it comes to public nudity.Īs long as a woman is not exposing her genitals in a way that is intended to cause alarm, she is not breaking any laws. While men can whip their “taps aff” at the slightest hint of warm weather, it’s generally perceived as much less acceptable for a woman to do the same – even in the hottest sunshine. Where it appears that the person has not acted for the purpose of sexual gratification or causing fear or alarm, they will not normally be prosecuted. The legislation is aimed primarily at ‘flashers’ – it’s worded in such a way to avoid the prosecution of naturists who do not intend for people to be alarmed or distressed by their appearance. The Sexual Offences Act 2003 outlines that it is a prosecutable offence for a person to:Ī) intentionally expose his/her genitals, orī) intend for someone to be alarmed or distressed by his/her appearance This is different from the complainant finding it personally offensive and has a high threshold in law that simple public nudity would not reach. While someone might find it distasteful to see another person sunbathing naked in a park for example, technically this is lawful unless that person has been ‘disorderly’ or caused another person ‘actual’ harassment, alarm or distress.
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