If sexual acts are performed, with or without an element of nudity, this can be considered gross indecency in some jurisdictions, which is usually a more serious criminal offence.
[a] In some countries, exposure of the body in breach of community standards of modesty is also considered to be public indecency.
What is an inappropriate state of dress in a particular context depends on the standards of decency of the community where an exposure takes place.
During the Victorian era, for example, exposure of a woman's legs, and to some extent the arms, was considered indecent in much of the Western world.
[3] Breastfeeding in public does not constitute indecent exposure under the laws of the United States, Canada, Australia, or Great Britain.
Legislation ranges from simply exempting breastfeeding from laws regarding indecent exposure, to outright full protection of the right to nurse.
Although genitals are usually expected to be covered in public in almost all societies, when it comes to other parts of the body such as female breasts, midriff, legs or shoulders, norms vary.
It is a broader offence than indecent exposure, but can only be committed in a public place where at least two people are present, who need not actually witness it.
[15] Attitudes towards nudity vary by country and are generally most relaxed in Scandinavia, where genitals and breasts are not normally considered indecent or obscene.
[citation needed] On nudist beaches, in unisex saunas and in swimming pool changing rooms, remaining partially clothed is frowned upon and the social norm is to undress.
In some places, such as Henley-on-Thames, local bye-laws criminalise naked bathing in the river or sea, with a fine which has remained unchanged since the nineteenth century and is now trivial.
Concerns that the police do not take "indecent exposure" sufficiently seriously are matched by other opinions that public nudity is natural and proper.
[20] It is defined as A person commits an offence if— The maximum penalty is two years' imprisonment, very rare as most cases are dealt with by a fine or through community service.
Occasional "streaking" by naked exhibitionists running across public sports fields is often enthusiastically applauded by the spectators, so negating any intention to cause alarm or distress.
A common defence on arrest for indecent exposure is the innocent intent to urinate, but that may be prosecuted as a public nuisance.
[27] Stephen Gough, a man known as the "Naked Rambler" who hiked across Britain wearing only shoes, was arrested numerous times in Scotland.
[31] There is no statutory definition in the Code of what constitutes an indecent act, other than the exposure of the genitals and/or female nipples for a sexual purpose to anyone under 16 years of age.
[40][43] The judge noted, obiter dicta, that In the case of both males and females, the parts of the body which are capable of being employed for the purpose of obscene exposure are limited.
[53] In New Zealand, indecent exposure is considered to be where a person "intentionally and obscenely exposes any part of his or her genitals".
[54] Otherwise there is no specific law prohibiting nudity in public places, although lesser charges may apply depending on the behaviour of the individual in question.