Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Crimes Act 1961

Crimes against morality and decency, sexual crimes, and crimes against public welfare - Crimes against morality and decency

126: Indecent act with intent to insult or offend

You could also call this:

“It's against the law to do rude things to upset or make someone feel bad.”

If you do something indecent in any place with the aim of insulting or offending someone, you can be sent to prison. The longest time you could spend in prison for this is two years. This law applies to everyone.

An indecent act is something that most people would think is rude or not proper. The law doesn’t say exactly what counts as indecent, but it’s usually about doing something sexual that you shouldn’t do in public or that other people don’t want to see.

Remember, the law says you must intend to insult or offend someone with your indecent act. This means you must do it on purpose to upset or bother another person.

This text is automatically generated. It might be out of date or be missing some parts. Find out more about how we do this.

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM329047.

Topics:
Crime and justice > Criminal law
Previous

125: Indecent act in public place, or

“It's against the law to do rude things in places where other people can see you.”

Next

127: No presumption because of age, or

“A person's age doesn't automatically mean they can't have sex.”

Part 7 Crimes against morality and decency, sexual crimes, and crimes against public welfare
Crimes against morality and decency

126Indecent act with intent to insult or offend

  1. Every one is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years who with intent to insult or offend any person does any indecent act in any place.

Compare
  • 1908 No 32 s 156(b)