Tag: exhibitionism

Nudism versus exhibitionism.

So many people don’t know the difference between nudism and exhibitionism. Both display a naked body, or in the case of exhibitionism it could be parts of a body, usually genitals, but there is a vast gap between the underlying ideas of the two.

An exhibitionist will expose himself or herself amidst clothed people in order to provoke or shock them. The idea is that the exhibitionist is sexually aroused by that.

This what Wikipedia has to say about it: “Exhibitionism is the act of exposing in a public or semi-public context those parts of one’s body that are not normally exposed – for example, the breasts, genitals or buttocks. The practice may arise from a desire or compulsion to expose themselves in such a manner to groups of friends or acquaintances, or to strangers for their amusement or sexual satisfaction or to shock the bystander.” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exhibitionist -December 2013-)

When we look at the online Encyclopedia Britannica: “exhibitionism, derivation of sexual gratification through compulsive display of one’s genitals. Like voyeurism, sexual display is almost universal as a prelude to sexual activity in animals, including humans; it is regarded as deviant behaviour when it takes place outside the context of intimate sexual relations. Exhibitionists are usually not dangerous, although the experience is frequently perceived by the victim as threatening; violence or sexual assault seldom follows the display.” (http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/198064/exhibitionism -December 2013-)

When we compare that to Wikipedia‘s first words on nudism, we see quite a big difference:
“Naturism or nudism is a cultural and political movement practising, advocating and defending social nudity in private and in public. It may also refer to a lifestyle based on personal, family and/or social nudism.” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nudism -December 2013-)

Or again, the Encyclopedia Britannica: “nudism, also called naturism, the practice of going without clothes, generally for reasons of health or comfort. Nudism is a social practice in which the sexes interact freely but commonly without engaging in sexual activities.” (http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/422093/nudism -December 2013-)

There is no mention of compulsion or sexual satisfaction in either description of nudism, just as there is no mention of culture, a social activity, or lifestyle in exhibitionism.
Nudists and naturists don’t seek to shock people. Yes, they like to be naked, but that is for their personal good, not for others to stare at or be shocked by intentionally. They don’t want to ‘exhibit themselves’. That would be quite difficult considering that they would do that in a group that’s already naked. An exhibitionist wouldn’t stand much chance in a nudist setting. Any attempt to try something sexual in a nudist setting will usually be dealt with quickly.

Germany 2012 – Bizarre trial around nude hiker

nude hike

I found an interesting piece on a trial involving a nude hiker in Germany (original in German here on tz-online.de) which I’ve translated as well as possible in this post:

Bizarre trial around alleged exhibitionist.

Munich – A nude hiker was accused of exhibitionism by a 44 year old woman. The man from Giesingen was arrested. End of this: a bizarre trial with odd dialogues.

Just now the court pronounced Rudolf L. not guilty. But the 45 yo man from Giesingen still feels he’s been treated unjustly. “This is a joke, I feel hurt in my pride,” he complains. “This is a scandal, they should arrest the criminals.”

The “criminal” that Rudolf L. mentions is Anja N. She’s a film producer and she accused him of playing with his genitals as he was hiking along the river Isar in the nude. She was on her bicycle behind him and said how she saw how his hands moved in the area of his privates. “I do think that was not because of me,” she added. Still out of principle, “because I felt violated because of that”, she warned the police on that June 29th.

Schoes, backpack, sunglasses – that was all he wore

The officers came – and arrested Rudolf L. Little later he was formally accused of exhibitionism. This however was not confirmed by the court. Because Anja N. suddenly declared that she had not seen it all that clearly, it was more something she had deducted, that he was doing something unacceptable. Also she hadn’t even recognised him any more, she confessed. “Maybe I’d recognise him by his behind,” the 44 year old assumed. Rudolf L. in the courtroom however thought not.

Very different at the Isar. There Rudolf L. walked along rather undressed, Shoes, backpack, black sunglasses, that was all he wore on that day shortly after 6pm. “I was on the way home because there would be a thunderstorm,” he said. All the other sun-lovers had left already. “I was all alone.” At least he hadn’t seen anyone else. And even when: “From Wolfratshausen to Freising everyone lies around naked.”

“I’m gay, since birth””Then I needed to pee urgently and went into the bushes,” he reported. That was where the woman had addressed him. “I felt hindered as she interrupted me while peeing.” Shortly after that the police arrested him. “After that I was completely through with my nerves.”

That was visible in court as well. Still Rudolf L. seems to be devastated about the idea that the woman blames him to act against moral values. Even worse it is for him that the woman insists he had been exhibiting himself to excite himself. “I’m gay, since birth,” he complained. “I am not interested in women, it’s in my genes. I’m gay as they come.”

“I was ashamed to death”

That convinced the judge as well. Exhibitionism, so he said, was out of the question. Perhaps a disturbance of public decency that would require a “gravely indecent act” like “masturbating in public”. This however was not proven. Therefore the accused was acquitted.

Rudolf L. does not think that’s enough. “This is prosecution of the innocent,” he said after the verdict. That’s why he now wants to prosecute the woman. “After all, I was arrested. I was ashamed to death.”

Bettina Link

Note from Paul: Laws about nudity in Germany are much the same as in the Netherlands. If you make sure you’re not offending anyone by just being nude and you stick to places that are not near the general public, you should generally be safe. Of course it always comes down to the local authorities, so check before you strip. Exhibitionism for sexual arousal, having sex in public and things like that however are obviously forbidden.