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uk Sexual violence & highly sensitive situations

What to do if…
someone exposes themselves to you in person and you feel unsafe

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy UK guide

Short answer

Move away without confronting them and get to a busy, staffed, locked or otherwise safer place. If the incident is still happening and you think you or someone else may be in immediate danger, call 999.

Do not do these things

  • Do not confront, chase or follow the person.
  • Do not stay nearby to film them or gather proof.
  • Do not return alone to see whether they are still there.
  • Do not delay leaving while you decide whether the exposure was deliberate.
  • Do not pressure yourself to remember everything or to have reacted differently.

What to do now

  1. Put distance and, where possible, a barrier between you and the person. Go into an open business, staffed station, reception area, security point or locked place you can safely access.
  2. If the incident is still happening and you think there is immediate danger, such as the person following you, blocking your route or threatening you, call 999 and state your location and what is happening now.
  3. Ask a nearby person, member of staff or security worker for direct help. You can say: “That person exposed themselves to me and I feel unsafe. Please stay with me and call the police.”
  4. Contact someone you trust, share your location privately and ask them to stay on the phone, meet you or help you arrange safe transport.
  5. Once you are safe, you may note the time, location and a brief description from memory if that feels manageable, but do not return or put yourself at risk to collect information.
  6. You do not need to decide immediately whether to report. When you are ready, you may call 101 or use the official online police reporting routes linked through GOV.UK.
  7. Contact a specialist sexual violence support service appropriate to your part of the UK if you want confidential support. If you are under 18, you can also contact a trusted adult or Childline.

What can wait

A detailed account, deciding what to call the incident, making a non-emergency report and any longer-term decisions can wait until you are somewhere safe. You do not need to solve everything now.

Important reassurance

You may feel frightened, shocked, angry, numb or unsure after what happened. Freezing, leaving quickly, not confronting the person or remembering only parts of the incident does not make it your fault.

Scope note

This guide covers immediate safety and support only. Later decisions about reporting, workplace or venue complaints, healthcare or specialist support may require help from an appropriate service.

Important note

This is general information, not legal, medical, therapeutic or other professional advice. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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