Man detained for indecent exposure on train, sparks online debate

A man traveling on a train from Beijing to Hefei has been detained for five days after allegedly exposing himself to a female passenger. The incident, which went viral on Chinese social media, has sparked heated discussions about public decency and passenger safety.

The woman, surnamed Guo, reported that a fellow passenger in the adjoining berth, identified as Lyu, stripped naked late at night on June 14. According to Guo's account, Lyu made noises while facing her in the nude.

Fearing for her safety, Guo took photos as evidence before alerting train staff. Lyu claimed he was intoxicated and had no recollection of the incident.

The incident gained traction online, with many netizens condemning Lyu's behavior.

Legal experts like Wang Shuhuan of the Tahota Law Firm in Beijing weighed in, clarifying that Lyu's actions were illegal and constituted sexual harassment. "His behavior not only violated social norms but also infringed upon the woman's personal rights," Wang stated.

However, some online debate focused on whether Guo's act of taking photos constituted a privacy violation. Wang addressed this concern, asserting that Guo's photos served as evidence and did not violate Lyu's privacy. The distinction lies in the purpose: capturing evidence of illegal behavior in a public space versus voyeurism or defamation.