Public masturbators in Sweden now can legally self-pleasure on the beach. A court ruling in Sweden acquitted a man who was publically masturbating. The man was charged with sex assault although his actions were self-directed, according to the Huffington Post. The man was caught by police literally with his pants down.
Public prosecutor Olof Vrethammar commented that relative to the new ruling, “We can conclude that it is OK to masturbate on the beach [although] the act may be considered to be disorderly conduct.”
Dr. Liz Davies of the London Metropolitan University has researched Sweden’s child protection system and has said that the court’s decision surprised her. She comments that Sweden’s child protection system is “really robust” and she says that the judgment is surprising “given that such an act could be witnessed by children as well as adults.” She is supported by child protectionists and parents in Sweden who wonder what will happen to the free and public swimming areas for families if people can now pleasure themselves in the open.
How the regulation will work out in the country that has strict laws set to protect children worry many child protectionists as they struggle to cope with the new beach laws. Perhaps a designated area suitable for children will be set up on beaches? The public and lawmakers alike will have to define the situation on whether or not public masturbation will now be seen as a criminal offense.