Outraging public decency is a common law offense in England and Wales, Hong Kong, and the Australian states of New South Wales and Victoria. It is also an indictable common law offense in the UK. The offense is committed when someone does something lewd, obscene, or disgusting in the presence of at least two members of the public. The act must be done in a place where at least two members of the public might see it. The offense is punishable by unlimited imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.
Examples of acts that may be considered outraging public decency include urinating in public, offensive graffiti, wearing attire that provokes upset or disgust, publishing outrageous material such as pornography or pedophilia, and masturbating in public. In Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA, every person who willfully and wrongfully commits any act that grossly injures the person or property of another or which grossly disturbs the public peace, quiet, or decency is guilty of outraging public decency.
It is important to note that the offense of outraging public decency is a common law offense, which means that it is not defined by statute but rather by case law.
