Public sex video sets off nasty online shaming

CALGARY — Feminists and sexual health advocates are weighing in on the vitriol of online shaming that has blown up on social media in the last few days after an anonymous posting of two men and one woman having sex in an outdoor public place.

And police have confirmed there is an investigation underway, looking at possible criminal charges for indecent exposure and unlawful distribution of intimate images without consent.

The daylight video of the threesome, who don’t appear to know they’re being filmed on a mobile phone from a distance, was posted on the Reddit social media site Tuesday. But with more than 230,000 views, it has since resulted in an explosion of commentary on Twitter and Facebook, including the creation of a Facebook site claiming to be the woman involved.

Many of the tweets in reaction to the men are congratulatory, calling them “heroes,” doing something “decent,” while those referring to the woman are insulting, calling her a “slut” or “whore” with no values.

But women’s advocates say the matter is no longer just about the three people and how their privacy has been violated through the public posting. It is now more about the litany of online activity, and the public shaming that has resulted.

“We need to move away from questions about collective conduct and ask what is it about our society that shaming, hating and turning on people online is a form of public entertainment,” said Rebecca Sullivan, head of women’s studies at the University of Calgary.

“We shouldn’t be discussing whether people should be doing this or not, we should be discussing why it’s OK for everyone to be so abusive.

“To the abusers: What are you getting out of it, what are you achieving, and what is it about yourself that you like yourself as an abuser?”

Sullivan goes on to argue that it is almost always women, particularly around the activity of sex, who are the ones most likely to be abused.

“Why is a woman’s sexuality public property, and why do we deny a woman’s right to have pleasure and her right to privacy?

‘The very simple answer is that we still live in a misogynistic, sexist society and until we admit it, we’re not dealing with it.

“It’s a culture that defines women based on their sexual value to men, and then abuses them for having it.”

Police spokesman Kevin Brookwell said police are seeking those involved in the alleged public sex act and the person who posted the video, both of which are illegal.

Having sex in public falls under indecent exposure and is part of the Criminal Code, he said.

As well, a new law was created in April, Brookwell confirmed, under the Criminal Code making it illegal to distribute intimate images without consent.

“There’s also the potential in some of these cases where people are posting images, and it can spin off in the direction of criminal harassment too,” he added.

Pam Krause, CEO with the Calgary Sexual Health Centre, agreed the public posting “is hugely problematic and enters into what’s become a common conversation online, where women are shamed and men are congratulated.”

Krause added that the public posting and all of the attention it’s received will no doubt be viewed by young people in the next few days, and becomes an important opportunity for parents to step in and be heard.

“This is the time to talk to your kids, many of whom are going to bed at night with their phones.

“Have that uncomfortable conversation, talk about values openly. Have short conversations, but have them often, come back to them often, and you’ll be surprised what your kids will tell you.”