Women masqueraders who bared their breasts during Carnival did not break the law, Assistant Commissioner of Police Winston Cooper said yesterday...
News Source: Trinidad Guardian
?Technically, the law does not pertain to women when it comes to indecent exposure,? Cooper explained.
In response to public complaints about women who either wore pasties over their nipples, painted their breasts or did both as they paraded, or in one case stood on the sideline as a spectator, Cooper said their nakedness was not an offence.
As the law now stands, ?it is the behaviour behind being naked which is the offence,? Cooper said.
As an example, Cooper spoke of a woman being naked in a bar and woman who walked down the street naked.
If both naked women are using obscene language or dancing in a lewd manner they will be charged for these offences, and not indecent exposure.
It was only a few weeks ago that Cooper, speaking to reporters and photographers at a workshop hosted by the Media Association of T&T, advised performing artistes and their back-up dancers to tone down their stage performances which were described as obscene conduct.
Even so, even what is obscene needs to be more clearly defined in the law, which Cooper believes should be amended.
?This is the dilemma we find ourselves in when it comes to obscenity,? he added.
Cooper said the police can only act in accordance with Section 51 of the Summary Offences Ordinance, Chapter 11:02.
Section 51
?Any person who during their presentation or performance of any play, concert or musical entertainment in any building or place to which the public is admitted or has access is indecently attired, performs any lewd or suggestive dancing or actions, in any play, sound, ballet or speech uses language or makes use of any recording which is profane, indecent or obscene or which is insulting to any individual or section of the community and acts in a manner calculated to hold up to public ridicule or contempt any individual or section of the community can be liable to a fine of $400.?
