California Privacy Laws (videotaping)

[ldfvirgo]

What is the name of your state?California

I am 29 years old.

About a year ago my mother found a videotape in our house while looking for something. When she played it she found out it was a videotape of her children (me and my siblings) in the bathroom. So basicly, we were being videotaped in our own home by our stepfater (who also abused us) as children. (When I was younger I found out he was taperecording us on the telephone, because I found a tape and played it and it was a converstation I had with somebody.)

Here is the thing, I feel that this man deserves to be put in jail for these things he did to us, or at least sued by us children for emotional damage or invasion of privacy. What are the laws in california for videotaping, or tape-recoring childern in your own home (or vice-versa)?

 

[BelizeBreeze]

What is the name of your state?California

I am 29 years old.

About a year ago my mother found a videotape in our house while looking for something. When she played it she found out it was a videotape of her children (me and my siblings) in the bathroom. So basicly, we were being videotaped in our own home by our stepfater (who also abused us) as children. (When I was younger I found out he was taperecording us on the telephone, because I found a tape and played it and it was a converstation I had with somebody.)

Here is the thing, I feel that this man deserves to be put in jail for these things he did to us, or at least sued by us children for emotional damage or invasion of privacy. What are the laws in california for videotaping, or tape-recoring childern in your own home (or vice-versa)?

what proof do you have that your stepfather was the person videotaping you?
What proof do you have that your stepfather was the person recording your phone conversations?

 

[JETX]

When she played it she found out it was a videotape of her children (me and my siblings) in the bathroom.

How old is this tape?? Statute of limitations issue(s).

Were all the 'subjects' living IN the home at the time??
If so, and if the stepfather was also living there..... no laws would have been broken as there is no prohibition against him videotaping in his own home.... even if done without your permission or knowledge.

I feel that this man deserves to be put in jail for these things he did to us, or at least sued by us children for emotional damage or invasion of privacy.

Though I share your indignation at what happened, I doubt that any real laws were broken.
However, you are certainly free to contact the local law enforcement and see if they will accept a report and investigate.
Further, you can talk with a local attorney about any civil claim, but I think that would also be without success.

What are the laws in california for videotaping, or tape-recoring childern in your own home (or vice-versa)?

I doubt if there are any restrictions on a persons right to videotape inside his own residence.... even if the subject matter is repulsive.

 

[CdwJava]

If you are 29 I can only imagine that this tape is almost 2 decades old (or more). If so, unless you can identify it as child pornography (and kids in a bath will be tough to prove that it is porn) and put it in the hands of your stepfather, there is no crime that I can see here.

As JetX indicated, it is weird and reprehensible (if done for purient interest) but not illegal by itself.

- Carl