Dogging and the Law

The law with regards to dogging in the United Kingdom is ambiguous to say the least. The law as it stands is designed to protect the public at large from being unwilling witnesses to sexual behaviour dogging or from being intimidated from using public areas or facilities. The ambiguity comes from the fact that if you happen to be in a private place or location where it is reasonable not to expect to be seen then the law can protect you. Prosecution in this case relies on a member of public being upset by what they have witnessed and reporting it.

  The Sex Act 2003

The Sex Act 2003 originally stated that sexual acts in a car or vehicle were illegal. This was amended and clouded a clear cut issue. The Sex Act 2003 section 66 on Exposure made it illegal to have sex in a car yet made it legal to have sex in your home by the window and legal for homosexual men to have sex in public toilets. The Sex Act 2003 section 67 on Voyeurism stated that Voyeurism was also illegal.

Re-writes to this tried to prevent having sex in a vehicle being made illegal but section 66.1.a makes it illegal for a man to intentionally expose his genitals. While this was probably aimed at flashers it has been used to arrest doggers which was not the intention. Section 66.1.b states that if a man intends that someone will see them and be caused alarm. One sentence would have cleared the matter up but section 66.1 became too wordy and confused the issue.

Section 67.1 is again broken into sub sections a and b and again confuses the issue. Is it an offence to observe for the observers gratification or only an offence to observe without consent?

2003 Sex Act - Section 66: Exposure

(1) A person commits an offence if-
(a) he intentionally exposes his genitals, and
(b) he intends that someone will see them and be caused alarm or distress.

(2) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable-
(a) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or both;
(b) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years.

If the intention is to cause alarm or distress to the public then you can be arrested. If however you are off a public area or public right of way then it can be assumed that you wouldn’t expect to be discovered.

2003 Sex Act - Section 67: Voyeurism

(1) A person commits an offence if-
(a) for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification, he observes another person doing a private act, and
(b) he knows that the other person does not consent to being observed for his sexual gratification.

(2) A person commits an offence if-
(a) he operates equipment with the intention of enabling another person to observe, for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification, a third person (B) doing a private act, and
(b) he knows that B does not consent to his operating equipment with that intention.

(3) A person commits an offence if-
(a) he records another person (B) doing a private act,
(b) he does so with the intention that he or a third person will, for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification, look at an image of B doing the act, and
(c) he knows that B does not consent to his recording the act with that intention.

(4) A person commits an offence if he installs equipment, or constructs or adapts a structure or part of a structure, with the intention of enabling himself or another person to commit an offence under subsection (1).

(5) A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable-
(a) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or both;
(b) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years.

If you observe people in a car that are having sex but not doggers you can be arrested. This is easily avoided by arranging dogging meets. See our forums. Also if you only approach when given a specific signal this will avoid uninvited voyeurism

  Dogging Precautions

The following tips will make dogging safer for you and reduce the chances of a brush with the law

• Choose the right location. Check our dogging sites page for known locations
• Do not choose an area known for public footpaths or families and children
• Avoid known crime areas such as red light areas, drug pushing areas and car theft areas as these naturally attract a police presence
• Take your litter with you to avoid secondary complaints
• Do not commit traffic offences entering or leaving or using your dogging site

  Dogging Signals

Flashing lights – Are there any other doggers around the vicinity?

Interior light on – We want to be observed

Window down half – Oral sex offered

Window down fully – Touching allowed

Door open – Full sex offered

 If you are interested in meeting other people who go dogging or wish to chat to them about it you can contact them via this site. (Click HERE for profiles or HERE for locations)

Avante Swingers©