AIBU?
...to find being flashed at funny?
toeragsnotriches · 12/04/2011 19:09
So I was in my front room the other night, watching some chinese lanterns floating across the sky and an odd looking man walked past and just stared at me. Then he walked past again. And then again, and pulled down his trousers (back half, not front.)
I pulled a face, shut the curtains and just laughed it off. I did, however, make sure I triple locked the front door...
I told DH when he got back from work the next day and he was horrified, saying I should report it to the police and it was virtually an assault. He was also concerned the flasher could either do it to someone else who didn't find it funny or go on to actually physically assault someone.
I didn't report it. Should I have done?
BeerTricksPotter · 12/04/2011 19:14
This reply has been deleted
Message withdrawn at poster's request.
ashamedandconfused · 12/04/2011 19:16
i would report it
the police may well know who it was if they have "form", or they may know he is a harmless local "character", or there may be concerns about an emerging pattern/increasing severity of what he is doing (eg flashing at kids in park etc), or he may be on the sex offenders register already
yes, report it
ShatnersBassoon · 12/04/2011 19:17
You should definitely report it. That's not acceptable, even if it is so pathetic as to be laughable to some people. Tell the police you weren't sure what to do at the time, but on reflection you realise it is worth mentioning.
Can you remember details like time and the man's appearance and clothes?
toeragsnotriches · 12/04/2011 19:18
I can still do it, right?
You are all right. The public duty thing really rings true here. I guess I just had in my head I'd report it if it affected me but I should do it on behalf of those more vulnerable. It did just occur to me - what if my kids had been there too?
IABU...
Chulita · 12/04/2011 19:31
Flashers often go on to other stuff once the flashing doesn't give them the kicks they need. Definitely report it regardless of how long ago it was (within reason obviously). If he's not a flasher but was just making a point cos he thought you were staring then he won't be caught doing it again.
!Ooopsadaisy · 12/04/2011 19:38
I've been flashed at 3 times in my life and I've missed it every time.
Once at Scratchwood Services in the late 1980s (age about 17). I was with a few friends and this bloke flashed at me but I wasn't looking. Friends all screamed, grabbed me and we ran into the ladies' loos. First I knew about it was when they explained.
Second time was on a bus (age 26 - I know this because I was pg). It was a bloke at the bus stop but I was reading my book and didn't notice. A nice lady in the seat across from me had to explain what I'd missed.
Last time was when I was out running. It was only when he tripped over his trousers that I realised he wasn't wearing them but he was already running away so I didn't get a proper look.
All saddos.
Jellykat · 12/04/2011 20:18
I was flashed at when i was in my 20, a full frontal.. I just said "Oh dear!" and carried on walking...
A couple of days later, he did the same to a friend of mine, who was a real toughy..She took her Bullet belt off, and chased him around the park,swearing and swinging her belt above her head!.. Noone at college met him again..
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