How to Deal with an Exhibitionist Neighbor
How to Deal with an Exhibitionist Neighbor
If your neighbor is showing more than you'd like to see, that's obviously a problem, particularly if you have kids. You can address the problem directly with the neighbor or even with your landlord or apartment manager. You can also get the law involved in most cases.
Steps

Communicating Your Concerns

Bring it up in conversation. If you know the person well, you may be able to bring it up in conversation. Of course, this tactic could get very awkward very quickly, so be prepared for that. Try to use humor if possible. If you're not comfortable bringing it up in conversation, move on to trying a note. For instance, you could say, "I enjoy running around the house naked as much as the next person, but I do remember to close the blinds, unlike some people we know..."

Drop the person a note. If it seems the exhibitionism is happening by accident, it may be best to just drop the person a note. For example, if the person is just walking around getting ready with the blinds down, they may not realize people can see in, and you'd actually be doing something nice to tell them so. You can try addressing the note anonymously so the person is less embarrassed. You could write, "I really don't want to embarrass you, but I want you to know that people can see in your house while you're getting ready in the morning. You might consider closing the blinds in the future."

Appeal to their better nature. If the person is exposing themselves intentionally, dropping a nice note may not work. However, if you try appealing to their better nature by letting them know there are kids in the area, you may be able to get to them stop, at least during the day. If they don't stop after your first note, consider dropping another one that's more pointed. You could write, "Hi, I am the person who sent the last note about you exposing yourself. Apparently, you are doing it intentionally. I would like to remind you that there are kids in the are who can see your nudity. If you won't stop for me, consider stopping for the kids. If you don't, I'll have to get others involved."

Getting Authorities Involved

Try a local authority. That is, before you run off to the police, start with someone who has authority over the property. For instance, the apartment manager or the homeowner's association will likely be willing to intervene on your behalf. Discuss the issue with the association or manager by saying, "One of my neighbors seems to have an exhibitionist problem. He stands naked at his window every day for at least 10 minutes at a time, where my kids can see. Is there anything you can do to intervene?"

Understand that laws vary. Every U.S. state has laws about indecent exposure in public places. However, what counts as a public place varies by state. In some states, an area visible from a public place, such as a road, counts, while in other places, it doesn't. In other words, in some states, what happens in the home is the home owner's business, while in other states, that goes against the law. If you live in another country, be sure to check the laws in your area.

Call the police. If you're not sure if the person is violating local laws, consider calling the police on a non-emergency number. They can help you determine if your neighbor is violating local laws, and then they can let you know what they can do to help in your situation.

Ignoring the Exhibition

Close your curtains. While this approach maybe isn't as proactive as you'd like, it may be your only option if local laws aren't on your side. You may just need to close your curtains when you notice the exhibitionism is happening, and look away when you're outside. As an added bonus, if your neighbor gets a thrill out of you looking, maybe they'll be less thrilled if nobody is watching.

Go inside. Another option is to go inside when you notice the person is exposing themselves while you're outdoors. This step is especially effective if you're outside with your kids. You can keep them from seeing what's going on next door by removing them from the area.

Consider building a fence. Another option is to build a fence tall enough so that you can't see your neighbor's house. Of course, that's more difficult if your neighbor has a two-story house, but it can be effective for one-story houses. Also, a high fence around your backyard can keep your kids from seeing what's going on nearby.

Talk to your kids. If your kids are exposed to your neighbor, you need to have a talk with them. Explain that what the person is doing is seen as something that should be kept private, and it's best not to look, as that will only encourage the person more. You could say, "That person has a problem. They are showing something publicly that we know should be kept private. We can't change what that person is doing, but we can control how we react. The best reaction is to ignore the person and try not to look."

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