Changing Room Privacy in Gyms and Leisure Centres, Matter!
Non-consensual filming, photography, excessive staring or voyeurism, whether deliberate or careless, is a serious violation of trust and in many cases, a criminal offence.
If you experience this, it should be reported to the leisure centre team.
No Watching
No Recording or photographing
It is a breach of privacy
It is not harmless.
It is a breach of privacy and dignity.
What counts as a Privacy violation?
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Filming or photographing others without consent
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Using phones or devices in changing or shower areas
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Watching someone where they expect privacy
INTENT DOES NOT REMOVE RESPONSIBILITY.
Why It Matters
One incident can have a lasting consequence…
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People impacted can experience anxiety, distress, and loss of confidence
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People loose sense of safety and trust, stopping using gyms or community spaces altogether
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Images can be shared, extending harm far beyond the initial incident
What You Can Expect
If something doesn’t feel right, it matters and action should be taken.
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A safe and inclusive environment for all
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A zero-tolerance approach
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Trained staff that will take reports seriously
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Immediate action and police involvement where appropriate
For Those Responsible
Non-consensual filming and voyeurism are serious issues, not misunderstandings or minor incidents.
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Removal or bans from facilities
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Police involvement and potential prosecution
When visiting a gym or leisure centre, private spaces should be safe. If something doesn’t feel right, it matters and action should be taken.
Creating Safer Leisure Centres – Everyone Deserves to Feel Safe
Gym and leisure centre changing rooms should be safe, private spaces. Everyone has a role to play in creating environments where people feel respected and able to enjoy fitness and leisure without fear of harassment, filming or invasion of privacy.
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This campaign has been developed in partnership with Suffolk Safeguarding Partnership to support safer leisure centres and changing facilities across Suffolk.
For localised information visit:
www.suffolksp.org.uk/itdoesmatter
FAQs
Voyeurism is the act of watching, filming, photographing or recording someone without their knowledge or consent in a place where they expect privacy. This can include gym changing rooms, leisure centre changing facilities, shower areas and toilets. Most people visit leisure centres expecting a safe and respectful environment, and any violation of privacy can have a significant emotional impact.
Leisure centres and gyms should provide safe, private spaces where everyone feels comfortable. Using a mobile phone, camera or recording device in changing rooms can raise serious safeguarding concerns. Non-consensual filming, photography and voyeuristic behaviour can leave victims feeling unsafe, distressed and reluctant to return to facilities they once enjoyed. Protecting privacy in changing rooms is essential for maintaining trust, dignity and wellbeing.
When someone is secretly filmed or photographed in a changing room, the consequences can extend far beyond the initial incident. Victims may experience anxiety, embarrassment, loss of confidence and ongoing concerns about where images or recordings may have been shared. A single incident can affect a person's willingness to attend a gym, leisure centre or community facility in the future.
If you believe someone is filming, photographing or behaving inappropriately in a gym or leisure centre changing room:
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Move to a safe location.
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Report the incident immediately to a member of staff.
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Provide clear and factual information about what you witnessed.
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Support anyone who may have been affected.
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Contact the police if there is an immediate safeguarding concern.
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Speaking up helps protect everyone using the facility and can prevent further incidents.
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Why Privacy Matters in Changing Rooms
Victims can experience anxiety, distress, and loss of confidence
People may stop using gyms or community spaces altogether
Images can be shared, extending harm far beyond the initial incident
One incident can have lasting consequences
For Victims
Emotional and psychological harm
Loss of safety and trust
One incident can have lasting consequences
For Those Responsible
Removal or bans from facilities
Police involvement and potential prosecution
Intent does not remove responsibility.
This campaign has been developed in partnership with Suffolk Safeguarding Partnership to support safer leisure centres and changing facilities across Suffolk. For localised information visit https://www.suffolksp.org.uk/
This campaign has been developed in partnership with
