It can happen on a bus, in a park, in your home, at the school gates. An estimated one in every ten women in England and Wales have reported it happening to them.

So why do people flash? And when did it become criminalised?

Indecent exposure is when someone deliberately exposes their genitals in order to frighten or upset someone else. It is difficult to prove, and has been prosecuted under a number of different laws during our history.

In this episode, Kate speaks to Professor of Psychology Dr. Elizabeth Jeglic from John Jay College of Criminal Justice to find out why people commit indecent exposure. Then, she speaks to Professor Kim Stevenson from the University of Plymouth about how indecent exposure and other sexual offences have been policed in the UK.

*WARNING there is discussion of sexual assault, rape and child abuse in this episode*

Produced by Charlotte Long and Sophie Gee. Mixed by Sophie Gee.

Betwixt the Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society. A podcast by History Hit.

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https://www.btp.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/advice/rape-sexual-assault-and-other-sexual-offences/indecent-exposure-flashing-offending-public-decency/