Karina works as a receptionist in a small shop in Sydney’s south-west. She is married, well-dressed, as receptionists tend to be, and very pretty.
Have you been flashed?
She’s been flashed twice, the first time at the age of ten. She was in a car with her parents. They were coming home from church and going through the airport tunnel, when they saw a jogger in front of them. It’s unusual to see a jogger in the airport tunnel and this one was even more unusual because he wore nothing but a pair of running shoes. Karina could only see his back, but she was very embarrassed.
The second event occurred on the Sydney Harbour Bridge at the age of twenty four. She was with her husband at the time, and traffic was jammed up and had come to a halt. Four young guys, whom Karina thought were somewhat drunk, were weaving their way through the traffic, and stopping at each car window and pulling their pants down. Karina was shocked and a “bit offended” and also “disgusted”. Neither event was reported to the police.
Asked how she would feel if she were flashed now, Karina answered that it depended on the situation. If it was a deserted road or park and the flasher was real close, she might feel threatened. If on the other hand he was a long way away… it was no big deal.
Asked if it should be classified as a criminal offence, Karina replied that, once again, it depended on the situation. If it was done in a manner that frightened women, then the exhibitionist should be punished, but not jailed.
