Public sex environments

People have sex in public for various reasons. They may enjoy the risk of being caught, for instance, or like being watched by others. Or perhaps they prefer the anonymity of sex where there’s little risk of being identified and they don’t need to talk.

There are a few things to remember if you have sex in public. The most important thing is to look after your health and safety.

Protected sex

If you decide to have sex in public, this may be with strangers, people you know or your partner. It’s important to use condoms whoever you’re having sex with, as it’s easy to pick up sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as chlamydia, syphilis and gonorrhoea.

Using condoms (external or internal) can stop HIV from being transmitted and can also prevent an unplanned pregnancy. If you have sex with more than one person, it’s important to use a different condom with each partner.

PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a course of tablets taken before and after sex that protects against HIV. Consider it if you think it might be for you.

Personal safety

If you have sex in a public place you also need to look after your personal safety. For example, gay men have sometimes been the victims of homophobic attacks when they have been cruising or having sex in public places.

If you’re a heterosexual couple you might take part in ‘dogging’. This is where couples meet to have sex in public places where they know other people might watch them or join in. Usually the people having sex are in cars. Again, it’s important to be aware of your personal safety, and if you’re a woman it’s not advisable to go to dogging events on your own.

If you’re robbed or attacked in a public sex environment you should report it to the police to protect others. Contact your local police Community Safety Unit or let a third party (such as GALOP) know what has happened.

Always call 999 in an emergency.

If you don’t know the person or people you’re having sex with, it’s advisable to be careful about where you meet them and where you go to have sex. Avoid public sex environments if you’re under the influence of alcohol or drugs as this will make you vulnerable to attack, robbery or making poor decisions about sex and safety.

There are legal implications to having sex in public. The Sexual Offences Act 2003 made changes to previous laws in England and Wales governing sexual behaviour.

Sexual activity in public toilets is still an offence but sex in other public places isn’t, unless it’s witnessed or there’s a reasonable chance at least two members of the public might see what’s happening. In this case you could be charged with outraging public decency.

Exposure (showing your genitals with the intention that they are seen in order to cause alarm or distress) is an offence.

You may find sex in public exciting but it also poses risks to your health and personal safety. If you want to talk to someone about your sex life, see a counsellor or call THT Direct.