The Editor, Sir:

While countries across the world, including Jamaica, commemorated International Women's Day to support the fight for women's rights, my right to privacy was being violated by a male security officer employed in a popular department store in Kingston.

It was not my first visit to this establishment, but it was the first time I noticed that a platform atop a mechanism resembling a step ladder overlooking the store gave the security officer not only an excellent vantage point to detect potential shoplifters, but also a bird's eye view of inside the changing room.

To my great mortification, I did not realise this until after I had tried on an item of clothing and was readjusting my own, when our eyes - mine and that of the security guard - met in the changing room mirror. You see, the platform upon which he sat is located directly across from the changing room. Although the room has a swing door that is higher than my five-foot 11-inch frame, it is also fitted with a floor to ceiling mirror. The guard, or any other person, can simply look into the mirror and see the reflection of unsuspecting women in various stages of undress.

Apologised profusely

Upon my request, the store manager called the owner who apologised profusely and gave his word that he would address the matter. But apart from deciding whether to accept that apology, there is nothing else I can do. My attorney and a senior police officer both assured me that what the guard did, facilitated by the store, is not illegal. There are no laws in Jamaica that protect citizens from being spied on as they change their clothes, take a shower or engage in any other activity that would require them to disrobe.

In other countries, criminal surveillance legislation protects citizens' right to privacy by prohibiting persons from secretly observing others through windows, doors or otherwise for the purpose of spying on them.

I'm hoping that through this medium, women all over this country will become more aware of the possibility of being spied on, and more important, that they will demand legislation to protect all of us from voyeuristic perverts or store owners who would violate our privacy to watch their merchandise.

I am, etc.,

STACY-ANN SMITH

swillsmith@hotmail.com

Kingston