“We’ve become a race of Peeping Toms.  What people ought a do is get outside their own house and look in for a change.” – John Michael Hayes

Voyeurism is the sexual interest in, or practice of, spying on people engaged in intimate behaviors, such as undressing, sexual activity, or other activity usually considered being private in nature.  It is a psychosexual disorder in which the person experiences sexual pleasure and gratification by undertaking such spying behaviors.

The voyeur’s intention is to observe unsuspecting individuals who are naked, in the process of undressing or engaging in sexual acts.  The person being observed is often a stranger, and the act of “peeping” is carried out for the purpose of achieving sexual excitement.   Interestingly, the voyeur may have a fantasy of engaging in sexual activity with the person being observed but typically does not desire to have sexual contact with them.  If sexual gratification via orgasm is sought it is typically realized through masturbation.  This may occur while spying, or later relying on the memory of the act that was observed.

Many states have statutes making voyeurism a crime.  These laws vary widely from state to state relative to the definition of voyeurism.  Most however specifically prohibit the photographing or videotaping of another person, without their consent, while observing that person in the privacy of their own home or any other place that would typically be considered private.

According to the mental health professional handbook known as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, two specific criteria must be present in order to make the diagnosis of voyeurism:

• Over a period of at least six months, an individual must experience recurrent, intense, sexually arousing fantasies, sexual urges, or behaviors that involve the act of observing an unsuspecting person who is naked, in the process of disrobing, or engaging in sexual activity.
• The fantasies, sexual urges, or behaviors must cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

Although the occurrence of voyeurism is not clearly known, it is much more common in men than in women, and the onset of voyeuristic activity is usually prior to the age of sixteen.  In the current U.S. culture voyeurism is increasingly more common (as demonstrated by the glut of “reality T.V.” shows on television and pornography on the internet).  However, in order to make the diagnosis the act of ‘observing’ must be the preferred or exclusive means of sexual gratification.

For treatment of voyeurism to be successful, the voyeur must decide that they want to change their pattern of behaviors.  This is by far the most challenging step towards recovery.  Unfortunately, most are forced to accept treatment primarily a result of a court order.  Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is the most common form of treatment.  Through CBT the voyeur learns to control the impulse to “peep” on unknowing victims, and to develop more acceptable and appropriate ways of attaining sexual gratification.
Sadly, once an individual has begun demonstrating voyeuristic behavior it most often does not stop, and tends to demonstrate a chronic course.  With time, it may actually become the chief form of sexual gratification for the afflicted individual.  The prognosis for the complete elimination of voyeuristic behavior is rather poor due to the fact that most voyeurs have little if any real desire to alter their behavior.
There are many highly trained and experienced Cognitive Behavioral Therapists in the Tri-Counties area that can help.  They can be found by entering “Cognitive Behavioral Therapists in (insert your local area)” on your favorite search engine.