[Report] "We Hold Our Breath Afraid Someone Will Enter" Shared Restrooms, Women Express 'Anxiety'

"Unisex Restrooms Without Locks Are Completely Avoided"
"Checking Who Is Inside Before Entering the Restroom"
Illegal Filming Quadrupled in 7 Years, Punishments Are Lenient

On the 8th, a unisex restroom in a commercial building located in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yeonju Kim, intern reporter yeonju1853@asiae.co.kr

[Asia Economy reporters Seunggon Han and intern Yeonju Kim] "Whenever I go to a unisex restroom, I always check if someone is inside. It’s unsettling.", "If it’s a restroom shared by men and women, I just don’t go in the first place."

Recently, a hidden camera (commonly called a molka) was discovered in the women's restroom inside the research building of KBS’s Yeouido headquarters in Seoul, sparking public outrage and sharply increasing women’s anxiety about using restrooms.

In particular, women expressed caution by saying they avoid using unisex restrooms altogether.

On the afternoon of the 8th, a restroom inside a shopping complex in Jung-gu, Seoul, was a unisex restroom rather than separated by gender. Most restrooms in this complex could not be locked from the inside.

Inside the restroom, there were often sections divided into male urinals, male stalls, and female stalls. Some restrooms had locks inside and only one toilet installed to allow single-person use.

A woman in her 30s, Lee (33), whom we met in front of the unisex restroom that day, said, "I try not to use unisex restrooms, but when it’s urgent, I have no choice," and added, "It’s true that I feel uneasy if I can’t lock the door from inside."

Lee expressed her anxiety, saying, "It’s essential to check if someone is inside before entering the restroom. If someone is there, no matter how many stalls there are, I won’t go in."

A unisex restroom in a commercial building located in Anyang, Gyeonggi-do. A sign on the restroom door states that patrols are conducted frequently to prevent crime. Photo by Yeonju Kim, intern reporter yeonju1853@asiae.co.kr

Despite women’s anxiety, hidden camera crimes continue to rise steadily. According to the National Police Agency statistics, illegal filming and distribution crimes (Article 14 of the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment, etc. of Sexual Crimes, related to camera use) increased from 1,523 cases in 2011 to 6,470 cases in 2018 ? more than four times in seven years.

Given this situation, the most urgent improvement needed to create safe public restrooms was identified as 'separating restrooms by gender.' In a 2017 street survey conducted by the National Child and Women Safety Network with 1,243 citizens, the most frequently cited improvement for creating safe public restrooms where even teenagers can feel secure was the separation of restrooms by gender (40.5%).

Following that were 'heavier penalties for restroom crimes' (23.3%), 'installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV)' (23.3%), 'installation of emergency bells' (23.3%), and 'designation of police patrol lines' (9.1%).

Hwang In-ja, co-representative of the National Child and Women Safety Network, pointed out, "If restrooms are separated into male and female, men are not allowed to enter female spaces, and if they trespass, it can be considered residential intrusion, allowing for heavier penalties. We see restroom gender separation as the most urgent prerequisite."

Women expressed extreme anxiety about being exposed to crimes when using unisex restrooms. Office worker Ham (27) said, "I used to use unisex restrooms without suspicion, but after a man looked at me from above the stall while I was inside, I never use them anymore," and added, "I’m so anxious that I even accompany my friend when she uses it if I have no choice."

Notice to Eradicate Illegal Hidden Cameras Posted in a Unisex Restroom in Anyang, Gyeonggi-do. Photo by Yeonju Kim, Intern Reporter yeonju1853@asiae.co.kr

The situation was the same not only in Seoul but also in a shopping complex in Anyang, Gyeonggi Province. A cafe employee, Han (25), said, "After hearing that a hidden camera was found in a public restroom in a nearby building, I realized this is not a distant issue for me," and added, "When I’m in a hurry at work, I run five minutes to use the department store restroom."

Han pointed out, "Hidden cameras are not visible, and they say they look like screws, so how could I possibly know where and how they are installed and use the restroom with peace of mind?" and said, "I think just having preventive messages against hidden cameras cannot solve any problems."

There was even a woman who said she cannot leave the stall if a man enters while she is using the restroom.

A woman who wished to remain anonymous said, "I listen to footsteps outside the restroom, guess whether it’s a man or a woman, and then decide whether to leave or wait," and added, "If a man comes in, I hold my breath and stay inside the stall until he leaves."

She raised her voice, saying, "I don’t understand why women feel anxious and have to search for restrooms when it’s a restroom that both men and women can use," and asked, "Shouldn’t we raise the punishment level for illegal filming or thoroughly separate stalls and prepare practical measures?"

Inside the shared restroom of a restaurant located in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yeonju Kim, Intern Reporter yeonju1853@asiae.co.kr

It was also found that encounters between men and women inside restrooms often occur due to the lack of locks. Especially, male urinals are installed without partitions, causing embarrassing situations for both men and women.

Office worker Lee (28) said, "When I enter the restroom and encounter a man using the urinal, I get startled, and I can feel the mutual embarrassment," and emphasized, "If there was at least a lock on the door, this wouldn’t happen."

Meanwhile, while social issues related to illegal filming crimes are growing, there are criticisms that legal punishments remain very lenient.

According to the current Article 14 of the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment, etc. of Sexual Crimes (filming using cameras, etc.), offenders can be sentenced to up to five years in prison or fined up to 30 million won if found guilty.

However, an analysis by the Korean Women Lawyers Association of 1,866 first-instance verdicts from 2011 to 2016 for illegal filming cases showed that only about 5% received prison sentences. The majority, 72%, received fines, 15% received suspended sentences, and 7% received deferred sentences.

Experts urged continuous government attention. Professor Oh Yoon-sung of the Department of Police Administration at Soonchunhyang University said in a phone interview with Asia Economy, "It is easier to install hidden cameras in unisex restrooms than in women’s restrooms," and pointed out, "That is why women inevitably feel great anxiety."

Professor Oh advised, "Separating restrooms by gender is best, but if that is realistically difficult, it is advisable to designate even-numbered floors for women and odd-numbered floors for men. Efforts from individuals, institutions, and the judiciary are needed so that people do not feel anxious when using restrooms."