Opinion: Action on Secret Intimate Recordings & Name Suppression

You may have seen in recent media reports that Newmarket has had a couple of cases of secret intimate recordings taking place in public and semi-private spaces - such as changing rooms, shopping centres, and toilets. It is the most heinous invasion of privacy, and it’s happening more frequently than many of us realise in modern-day New Zealand. Thankfully the offenders locally, have been identified, apprehended and are now before the courts. The reality is though, that as camera technology keeps improving - the hardware is getting smaller and more affordable - it makes opportunities for offenders to secretly record unsuspecting victims easier. The consequences are devastating: the violation is not just physical but deeply emotional, with long-lasting trauma for victims.

We need to be crystal clear: this is not harmless mischief or voyeurism. It is a form of sexual abuse and should be treated as such in our laws and public discourse. In New Zealand, police and courts have taken action in many cases, but the penalties are often weak, sending the wrong signals, and the public rarely hears about the offenders - because of a legal system that frequently grants name suppression to perpetrators.

THIS MUST CHANGE.

Name suppression in these cases protects the abuser, not the victim (unless of course, the abuser’s identity could further harm the victim). In some cases, men caught installing hidden cameras in women’s changing rooms walked away with their identities protected under the justification of mental health concerns, reputational damage, or rehabilitation prospects. But where is the justice for the victims? Where is the deterrent effect if the public never knows who the offenders are?

It’s encouraging to see the government is putting the needs of victims front and centre.

We really need to overhaul our legal approach. First, there must be mandatory sentencing guidelines for covert intimate recordings - including imprisonment and lifetime bans from working in any roles involving public facilities or vulnerable populations. Second, name suppression should be the exception, not the norm. Public accountability is a cornerstone of justice, and victims should not see their abusers walk away under a veil of secrecy.

Third, facility operators need to be mindful that their spaces may not be safe and take greater responsibility. Public and private venues should conduct regular sweeps for hidden cameras, implement stricter access policies, and provide clear information to customers about security measures.

Finally, we need a cultural shift - where recording someone without consent is universally understood as a serious violation, not a prank or a thrill. I would also extend this to the ghoulish behaviour of members of the public filming accidents and crime scenes.

New Zealand has the chance to lead on this issue by updating outdated laws and putting victims first. If we don't act now, we risk normalising a crime that violates the most basic right of all - the right to feel safe in public spaces.