Section 66, Sexual Offences Act 2003

Exposure - SOA 2003

The statutory wording, points to prove, defences and penalty — verified against legislation.gov.uk (current revised versions, October 2026).

What the law says

Section 66, Sexual Offences Act 2003
(1) A person (A) who intentionally exposes A's genitals commits an offence if—
(a) A intends that someone will see the genitals and be caused alarm, distress or humiliation, or
(b) A exposes the genitals for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification and does so—
(i) with the intention that someone will see them, and
(ii) being reckless as to whether someone who sees them will be caused alarm, distress or humiliation.
(1A) But where A intends only that a particular person, or particular persons, will see A's genitals, A does not commit an offence by virtue of paragraph (b) of subsection (1) unless A is reckless as to whether that person, or at least one of those persons, will be caused alarm, distress or humiliation.
This wording applies to conduct on or after 29 September 2026 (Crime and Policing Act 2026, s 113; SI 2026/960). For earlier conduct the former s 66(1) applies: intentional exposure intending that someone will see the genitals and be caused alarm or distress.

CJS codes

Official CJS offence index (June 2026)

SX03128Exposure - SOA 2003

Points to prove

1. The defendant intentionally exposed their genitals.
2. Either (a) they intended that someone would see their genitals and be caused alarm, distress or humiliation;
3. or (b) they exposed their genitals for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification, intending that someone would see them, and being reckless as to whether someone who saw them would be caused alarm, distress or humiliation.
4. Where only a particular person or persons were intended to see, limb (b) needs recklessness as to alarm, distress or humiliation of that person or at least one of them (s 66(1A)).

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Mode of trial & maximum penalty

Either way — Court maximum
Summary: Six months' imprisonment, an unlimited fine, or both.
On indictment: Two years' imprisonment, an unlimited fine, or both.
Out-of-court disposal
Not a fixed penalty offence.

Sources

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