Shocked

Those familiar with the woman's TV appearances were "shocked and disgusted" by the video.

Mr Muhammad, a driver in his 30s, said that he found the link to the woman's video through a Facebook friend's profile and watched the video yesterday morning.

"I was shocked to see it, especially since she has not been on television for the last few years. It is strange that this has suddenly surfaced," he said.

A media executive who only wanted to be known as Serena, 31, said: "The video was disgusting. Who knew that a 'girl-next-door' type like her could be so naughty."

Lawyers and counsellors interviewed yesterday touched on the growing trend of "camwhoring" and the dangers it poses.

More people are open to the idea of taking such pictures these days, while the Internet and the wide range of gadgets with cameras make it that much easier to film, and distribute the images.

According to entertainment lawyer Samuel Seow from Samuel Seow Law Corporation, it is an offence to make such videos.

Said Mr Seow: "They ought to know that such content is considered obscene. As long as you are the one filming it, you are the maker of the obscene content."

According to Section 29 of the Films Act, an offender can be fined between $20,000 and $40,000, or jailed for up to two years, or both, if found "making" or "reproducing" obscene films.

It is also an offence to possess obscene video clips or pornographic material. Those caught can be fined $1,000 per film, up to a maximum of $40,000.

In the case of a woman who is a willing party in the clip, Mr Seow said she "she cannot claim that someone has infringed her privacy".

However, because the reputation of the woman is reduced through the dissemination of this private video, it can constitute "defamation" of the woman and she can try to file a defamation claim against the person who leaked it.

The Straits Times reported in July last year that counsellors say there is an increase in people who indulge in "camwhoring".

Mr Mani Joseph, the assistant director of the Asian Women's Welfare Association Family Service Centre, said he sees about five young people who have taken such photos - some of whom have posted them online - each day.

This was rare in the past, he said. "Youth used to be shy. Now, they are bolder," said Mr Joseph, who has counselled some who post topless photos of themselves online.

Dr Carol Balhetchet, director of youth services at the Singapore Children's Society, said she has had to counsel one teen every fortnight against such behaviour. Such acts were previously unheard of, she added.

"Many don't realise how easily the material can leak out to the Internet."

With additional reporting by Nurul Asyikin Mohd Nasir and Woo Sian Boon

brynasim@sph.com.sg