PanicStation.org
UK USA
uk Sexual violence & highly sensitive situations hidden camera suspected • secret camera in bathroom • camera in bedroom • camera in changing room • covert recording fear • being filmed without consent • privacy invasion bathroom • privacy invasion bedroom • spy camera suspicion • hotel room hidden camera • airbnb hidden camera concern • rented room surveillance worry • workplace changing room camera • gym changing room camera • public toilet camera fear • shower area recording worry • feel unsafe in private space • nonconsensual recording • voyeurism concern

What to do if…
you suspect a hidden camera was placed in a bathroom, bedroom, or changing area

Short answer

Get to a safer place first, and don’t confront anyone. If you feel in danger call 999; if it’s safe to do so, you can consider reporting it to the police (101/online) and get specialist support either way.

Do not do these things

  • Do not search the room “thoroughly” or start dismantling fixtures (it can increase risk and can disturb evidence).
  • Do not confront the owner/host/staff/suspected person in private or alone.
  • Do not post about it on social media or message multiple people in the property about it (it can inflame risk and complicate later reporting).
  • Do not throw the suspected device away or take it home.
  • Do not blame yourself or try to “prove” it before asking for help.

What to do now

  1. Move to a safer pause. Leave the room/area and go somewhere with other people around (reception/lobby/public area/next-door neighbour/your car), or lock yourself in a separate safe space if leaving isn’t possible.
  2. If you feel unsafe or threatened, call 999. If it’s not an emergency, contact the police from a safe place (often via 101). Many forces also let you report online; if you’re in Scotland or Northern Ireland, use your local police service’s website/contacts.
  3. Avoid touching anything else in the room. If you noticed something specific (an object, vent, alarm, charger, etc.), leave it as it is. If you already touched something, stop and don’t try to “fix” it.
  4. Write down a quick record while it’s fresh. Note the date/time, exact location, what made you suspect it, who had access (host/staff/flatmates), and any relevant messages or entry logs you have (keypad code messages, check-in instructions, etc.).
  5. If you’re in a hotel/rental/venue: ask (in writing if possible) for a different room/space, and ask staff/management to preserve access logs and CCTV for the relevant times. If you can, have a friend stay with you while you do this.
  6. If you’re at home with someone who may have placed it: prioritise safety—go to a friend/family member or a public place first. Consider calling the police from there rather than from inside the home.
  7. Get specialist support (even if you’re unsure). You can contact Rape Crisis’s 24/7 Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Line on 0808 500 2222 (for people aged 16+; not an emergency service). You can also contact an NHS Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) for practical and emotional support.
  8. If anyone contacts you about footage (threats/blackmail): don’t engage or negotiate. Save the messages and report to police.

What can wait

  • You do not need to decide right now whether you want to make a formal statement, pursue a case, or tell others.
  • You do not need to identify the device, confirm whether it was recording, or work out who did it before asking for help.
  • You do not need to “handle it perfectly” for it to be taken seriously.

Important reassurance

It makes sense to feel shocked, violated, or unsure of what’s real in the moment. Suspicion alone is enough to justify getting somewhere safer and asking for help—you’re not overreacting by taking this seriously.

Scope note

This is first steps only to reduce risk and avoid irreversible mistakes. Next steps (like property searches, formal evidence handling, housing/workplace actions, or legal options) can be done later with appropriate support.

Important note

This guide is general information, not legal or medical advice. If you are in immediate danger, call 999. Specialist sexual violence support is available even if you’re not sure what happened and even if you do not want to report.

Additional Resources
Support us