# If You Were a Voyeurism Victim, Would You Want Investigation/Prosecution? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 19, 2015, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-voyeurism-victim-would-you-want-investigation-prosecution/713102 "2015-02-19T17:16:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2015, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-voyeurism-victim-would-you-want-investigation-prosecution/713102/1 "2015-02-19T17:16:08Z")
I’m referring specifically to a case where someone took pictures and/or video. And your choices are getting all the actual pics/tapes back (assuming you knew this was possible) or calling in the cops. On the one hand, you want the perv to get what he deserves. On the other hand, having it investigated means some number of cops and prosecutors looking over the “evidence”, and if it goes to trial that expands to the judge and jury at least. I think I would go with the first option. (My wife says the same.) ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2015, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-voyeurism-victim-would-you-want-investigation-prosecution/713102/2 "2015-02-19T21:51:05Z")
Yeah… If I can “plea bargain” on my own with the perp, I would. No payment. That’s giving in to blackmail. But if he gives the pics back and promises not to bother me again, I’d rather skip the publicity. The minute he starts making demands or conditions, I go right to the police. ---
**Author:** ![Cornelius\_Tuggerson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/13edae/32.png) [@Cornelius\_Tuggerson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cornelius_Tuggerson)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2015, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-voyeurism-victim-would-you-want-investigation-prosecution/713102/3 "2015-02-19T23:00:21Z")
If I was a voyeurism victim I’d probably be too flattered by the attention to press charges. PS I reserve the right to flip-flop on this if it actually happens. No idea how I’d react. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2015, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-voyeurism-victim-would-you-want-investigation-prosecution/713102/4 "2015-02-19T23:05:31Z")
The last case I dealt with had at least 18 victims. Many here have made it abundantly clear that they feel no obligation to help law enforcement or the criminal justice system. But personally I would go forward to help ensure that the behavior is not continued. ---
**Author:** ![Claverhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/13edae/32.png) [@Claverhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claverhouse)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2015, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-voyeurism-victim-would-you-want-investigation-prosecution/713102/5 "2015-02-19T23:48:01Z")
I assume this is referring to the recent case of the Washington Rabbi who put hidden cameras recording women bathing for a number of years… Ars Technica **[Rabbi secretly recorded women preparing for Jewish ritual baths](http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2015/02/rabbi-secretly-recorded-women-preparing-for-jewish-ritual-baths/)** _The authorities said Bernard Fruendal, 63, was the rabbi of the Kesher Israel congregation in northwest Washington. Kesher Israel is adjacent to the National Capital Mikva, a Jewish ritual bath frequented by Orthodox Jewish women. Beginning as early as 2009, the defendant hid recording devices in the changing and showering rooms, and secretly filmed women, the authorities said. He potentially faces living the rest of his life behind bars when sentenced in May._ His behaviour was abhorrent, but spending his life in jail seems ludicrously disproportionate. A year’s community service — maybe not teaching inner-city kids photography — seems nearer the mark. For myself, if I were a victim I would consider my options, but prolly chose the material back where I could destroy it rather than waste my life in a trial. ---
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2015, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-voyeurism-victim-would-you-want-investigation-prosecution/713102/6 "2015-02-19T23:53:08Z")
> [@Claverhouse](#): > > I assume this is referring to the recent case of the Washington Rabbi who put hidden cameras recording women bathing for a number of years. It was intended as a general question, but this case was what got me to thinking about it. The issues raised may have played a role in the case. > [@](#): > > Steve Kelly, a lawyer representing some of the victims, including Shulevitz’s wife, said he believed many of the victims will be gratified the case will not go to trial and they won’t have “to face the prospect of having their videos shown in open court.” > **[HuffPost - Breaking News, U.S. and World News](https://www.huffpost.com/)** > > Read the latest headlines, news stories, and opinion from Politics, Entertainment, Life, Perspectives, and more. ---
**Author:** ![Claverhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/13edae/32.png) [@Claverhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claverhouse)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2015, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-voyeurism-victim-would-you-want-investigation-prosecution/713102/7 "2015-02-20T00:14:46Z")
_Freundel was initially charged with six counts of voyeurism as a result of video files found on the recording device in the clock radio. A search of his home and office at Towson University in Maryland, where he taught, turned up other media storage devices, and prosecutors indicated early on in the case that more women had been taped._ He should have used something safe for storage like Apple’s iCloud. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2015, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-voyeurism-victim-would-you-want-investigation-prosecution/713102/8 "2015-02-20T01:03:22Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > But if he gives the pics back… Oh come on, do you know anyone who even _owns_ film devices anymore? One can record & upload in real time. After the fact? If you think you’re getting the only copy, I have some ‘over-water’ property in NYC I’m trying to liquidate from my portfolio; because we’re both Dopers, I’ll sell it to you for a _really_ good deal. That being said, anyone who does enough running or cycling races has gotten changed in the car before. I try & be discrete, & I know others do as well, but I’ve caught other people, either walking thru the parking lot or parked next to me & I’m sure I’ve been seen by someone at some point. I’m not famous, so it won’t go viral. Big woop. ---
**Author:** ![Marion\_Wormer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d07c76/32.png) [@Marion\_Wormer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marion_Wormer)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2015, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-voyeurism-victim-would-you-want-investigation-prosecution/713102/9 "2015-02-20T01:24:01Z")
Okay, someone takes pictures of me naked and threatens to release it to the internet, I’d laugh, then turn it over to the cops. I’d go to the cops not because I care about images of my naked myself, but because once a person does something like that, they must be stopped. Yeah, that’s what happens when you get old. You’ve been naked so many times in front of so many people, you . just . don’t . care. ---
**Author:** ![vomit\_comet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/73ab20/32.png) [@vomit\_comet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vomit_comet)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2015, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-voyeurism-victim-would-you-want-investigation-prosecution/713102/10 "2015-02-20T05:38:33Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > I’m referring specifically to a case where someone took pictures and/or video. And your choices are getting all the actual pics/tapes back (assuming you knew this was possible) or calling in the cops. > > On the one hand, you want the perv to get what he deserves. On the other hand, having it investigated means some number of cops and prosecutors looking over the “evidence”, and if it goes to trial that expands to the judge and jury at least. > > I think I would go with the first option. (My wife says the same.) I’d say let me have my way with the perp for a 48 hour period. No way they could think up enough fucked up shit to negate the 48 hours worth of shit I ---
**Author:** ![vomit\_comet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/73ab20/32.png) [@vomit\_comet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vomit_comet)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2015, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-voyeurism-victim-would-you-want-investigation-prosecution/713102/11 "2015-02-20T05:39:48Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > I’m referring specifically to a case where someone took pictures and/or video. And your choices are getting all the actual pics/tapes back (assuming you knew this was possible) or calling in the cops. > > On the one hand, you want the perv to get what he deserves. On the other hand, having it investigated means some number of cops and prosecutors looking over the “evidence”, and if it goes to trial that expands to the judge and jury at least. > > I think I would go with the first option. (My wife says the same.) I’d say let me have my way with the perp for a 48 hour period. No way they could think up enough fucked up shit to negate the 48 hours worth of shit I would put them through. GODDAMN FUCKING WINDOWS GOOGLE CHROME SHIT ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2015, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-voyeurism-victim-would-you-want-investigation-prosecution/713102/12 "2015-02-20T05:39:56Z")
Anyone who looks at me naked is getting the punishment they deserve. ---
**Author:** ![vomit\_comet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/73ab20/32.png) [@vomit\_comet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vomit_comet)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2015, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-voyeurism-victim-would-you-want-investigation-prosecution/713102/13 "2015-02-20T05:44:25Z")
> [@Marion\_Wormer](#): > > Okay, someone takes pictures of me naked and threatens to release it to the internet, I’d laugh, then turn it over to the cops. I’d go to the cops not because I care about images of my naked myself, but because once a person does something like that, they must be stopped. > > Yeah, that’s what happens when you get old. You’ve been naked so many times in front of so many people, you . just . don’t . care. Damn; have I been naked in front of you before? Well, the question is moot anyway, so I’ll just assume so! So, What are you doing Friday night? ---
**Author:** ![chizzuk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@chizzuk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chizzuk)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2015, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-voyeurism-victim-would-you-want-investigation-prosecution/713102/14 "2015-02-20T05:58:25Z")
I’ve been mulling over this case a lot because I actually contacted Rabbi Freundel a few years ago with some questions about Judaism and was going to meet with him. I ended up not moving forward with anything, but if I had, I would have wound up on these tapes. As it were, we exchanged a few emails and the idea that he might have been licking his chops, so to speak, while that was transpiring is extremely disturbing. I would want prosecution, I imagine. It would be impossible to get the genie back in the bottle anyway, so why not make him pay? ---
**Author:** ![vomit\_comet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/73ab20/32.png) [@vomit\_comet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vomit_comet)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2015, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-voyeurism-victim-would-you-want-investigation-prosecution/713102/15 "2015-02-20T06:25:04Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > I’m referring specifically to a case where someone took pictures and/or video. And your choices are getting all the actual pics/tapes back (assuming you knew this was possible) or calling in the cops. > > On the one hand, you want the perv to get what he deserves. On the other hand, having it investigated means some number of cops and prosecutors looking over the “evidence”, and if it goes to trial that expands to the judge and jury at least. > > I think I would go with the first option. (My wife says the same.) Most of 'em would be on the end of my cock, so you can imagine where they would want that to go! ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2015, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-voyeurism-victim-would-you-want-investigation-prosecution/713102/16 "2015-02-20T15:46:58Z")
> [@vomit\_comet](#): > > I’d say let me have my way with the perp for a 48 hour period. No way they could think up enough fucked up shit to negate the 48 hours worth of shit I would put them through. > > GODDAMN FUCKING WINDOWS GOOGLE CHROME SHIT > [@vomit\_comet](#): > > Damn; have I been naked in front of you before? > > Well, the question is moot anyway, so I’ll just assume so! > > So, What are you doing Friday night? > [@vomit\_comet](#): > > Most of 'em would be on the end of my cock, so you can imagine where they would want that to go! Your “contributions” in this thread have nothing to do with the topic at hand, and amount to trolling. This is an official warning. ---
**Author:** ![dracoi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@dracoi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dracoi)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2015, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-voyeurism-victim-would-you-want-investigation-prosecution/713102/17 "2015-02-20T18:12:21Z")
I would prosecute. Most of these are (or will be) repeat offenders. Also, I’m not sure how often they stop at voyeurism, or if they escalate the behavior to become more aggressive over time. I’m certainly not prosecuting for my own convenience, that’s for sure. I would be less bothered by the idea of other people seeing the evidence than by the loss of time to give testimony throughout the process. I’m self-employed. All that lost time comes right out of my pocket. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2015, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-voyeurism-victim-would-you-want-investigation-prosecution/713102/18 "2015-02-20T18:20:38Z")
Jail & a nice Permanent Addition to the Sex Offender Registry. Bonus points if evry time their name gets mentioned ever its, “…known sex offender Bob Smith…” (or whatever their name is) They just don’t have the cash in the bank for the number of zeroes it would take me to ever change my mind. ---
**Author:** ![you\_with\_the\_face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ecccb3/32.png) [@you\_with\_the\_face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/you_with_the_face)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2015, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-voyeurism-victim-would-you-want-investigation-prosecution/713102/19 "2015-02-20T18:30:22Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > On the one hand, you want the perv to get what he deserves. On the other hand, having it investigated means some number of cops and prosecutors looking over the “evidence”, and if it goes to trial that expands to the judge and jury at least. > > I think I would go with the first option. (My wife says the same.) The same choice (and associated tradeoffs) are associated with reporting rape. I don’t know what I’d do. ---
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2015, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-voyeurism-victim-would-you-want-investigation-prosecution/713102/20 "2015-02-20T18:35:29Z")
> [@you\_with\_the\_face](#): > > The same choice (and associated tradeoffs) are associated with reporting rape. I look at it as being a bit different. Because in the case of rape, you’re not going to be actually raped by the criminal justice system. In the case of voyeurism, the criminal justice people are going to be doing the exact same thing as the perv did, only a whole lot more people. (You’d like to think that this guy was getting some erotic enjoyment out of it, which skeeves people out, while the cops and prosecutors etc. are all detached automatons focused only on truth and justice, but I tend to think people are people.) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-were-a-voyeurism-victim-would-you-want-investigation-prosecution/713102.md?page=2)