Cruising and Public Sex

The term ‘cruising’ generally refers to men meeting up for sex in a public place, such as woodland, public toilets or laybys. 

The sex in cruising can refer to any kind of sexual activity, whether it’s kissing, physical contact, masturbation, oral sex, anal sex or anything in between.  

It can also include people who don’t get directly involved and instead want to watch other people having sex. 

Online forums like squirt.org list cruising sites and include lots of information to help people who are visiting them. 

There are lots of reasons men choose to go cruising, whether it’s the pleasure of an anonymous hook-up, the thrill of potentially being caught, or the wish to be discreet about their sexuality. Cruising also offers a sense of community and togetherness with other men who have sex with men. 

Whether you are new to sex in public places, or have lots of experience, it can be a daunting prospect. You will often be meeting strangers, or visiting unfamiliar places, so it’s important to think about your safety. 

Here are a few things to think about that can help to keep you safe: 

• Know your cruising site – If you don’t know an area well, check it out first. Sites like squirt.org have listings of cruising sites that provide helpful information. When you get to a site, explore a bit first to know your surroundings. 
• Know who you’re meeting –If you’re pre-arranging a meet up online (e.g. Squirt or Grindr), take time to ask questions and reassure yourself that you know who you’re meeting 
• Meet at a neutral location – If you’re organising a meet up ahead of time, suggest a neutral, public place to meet.  If the person you meet isn’t who you expected, you can walk away. 
• Let someone know – It’s worth letting someone who you trust know where you’re going, and when you’re planning on getting back. Check in with them afterwards so they know you’re safe.  
• Trust your instincts – If, at any point, something doesn’t feel right, you can walk away. 
• Avoiding alcohol and drugs – If you’re under the influence of alcohol or drugs, it’s harder to stick to your boundaries, and can leave you vulnerable to physical or sexual assault. Know your limits and consider avoiding alcohol or drug use if you’re going cruising.  
• Leave valuables at home – We know that there have been cases where people have been mugged at public sex environments, and it’s a vulnerable place to be. At the same time, sites are often dark and uneven, so it’s easy to lose valuables. Try to take only what you need. 
• Sexual assault – Regardless of the circumstances, rape and sexual assault are never OK. Victims will often blame themselves, but it’s important to know it is not your fault. If you have been raped or sexually assaulted, you can reach out to SARCS, NHS Scotland’s sexual assault self-referral service. They are trained to provide safe, non-judgmental care and support to victims, and will not pressure you to report incidents to the police. Visit NHS Inform for more information. 

Whatever type of sex you’re into, we want you to feel confident and in control of your sexual health. 

Having open conversations about sex can make a big difference, whether it’s ahead of time, arranging a meet up, or in the moment.  Here are a few things you can think about: 

• Negotiating sex – We all have our own turn-ons and turn-offs. Talking to partners about what works for you – and listening to their preferences – can help everyone get more pleasure from sex. 
• Maintaining boundaries – Knowing what you’re comfortable with and what you’re not can help you feel more in control, whether it’s agreeing on things like condom use, where to meet or the type of sex you’re going to have.  
• Consent – Consent is fundamental to good sex. This includes paying attention to people’s verbal and non-verbal cues and respecting boundaries. It’s worth remembering that consent isn’t a one-off thing, and you should always feel able to change your mind. If something doesn’t feel right, you should feel able to walk away.  
• Condoms and Lube – Used properly, condoms and lube are great at preventing HIV and other STIs. If you use condoms and lube, remember to take enough with you. If condoms aren’t for you, talk to your partner about it and think about other things you can do to prevent infections (see below). 
• PrEP – PrEP is a pill that can protect you from HIV infection, and it’s available on the NHS. If you’re regularly having sex with different partners, PrEP would be a good option to consider, particularly if you’re not using condoms. 
• PEP – If you’ve had sex and are worried you’ve been at risk of HIV, you can access PEP from sexual health clinics and hospital A&E departments. PEP is a short course of treatment that can vastly reduce the risk of HIV infection. You need to act fast – PEP should be started within 72 hours of exposure and ideally within 24 hours. 
• Testing – If you’re regularly having sex with different partners, routine testing is a great way to stay on top of your sexual health. Getting tested every 3-6 months is a good guide that means that any infections will be picked up and treated quickly.   

If you’re thinking about having sex in public, it’s important to be aware of the potential legal implications you could face. 

From a legal perspective, consensual sex in a public place only really becomes an issue if you are seen by another person who could be offended by what they see and then report it.  

 The relevant crimes include: 

• Coercing a person into being present during a sexual activity – if you intentionally engage in any kind of sex in a public place, in view of other people who have not consented to seeing you. 
• Sexual exposure – intentionally exposing your genitals in a sexual manner (e.g. flashing) for sexual gratification, or to humiliate, distress or alarm someone without their consent.   
• Public indecency – if you engage in any kind of sex in a public place but have taken steps to be discrete about it, you could still be charged with public indecency. 

If you are charged with any of the above offences, you could be handed a custodial sentence, a fine, or both.  If you are charged you will need to seek legal advice. 

Police Scotland does not routinely patrol cruising sites with the intention of arresting people. Officers would most likely only investigate where a complaint has been made by a member of the public. Where a complaint has been made, the Police have a duty to follow up on this. 

Cruising message boards such as Squirt have listings for different cruising sites with notes and advice about how discreet or otherwise they are. 

If you have sex in public places and take steps to be discreet and out of sight, you are unlikely to be reported. However, you should also be aware that there is a risk.