Impact of Secret Filming on Victim's Life
A woman from Guernsey, Lucy Domaille, who was secretly filmed in her own home, has spoken publicly about how the experience has profoundly affected her life and sense of safety. She has waived her anonymity as a victim of a sexual offence to raise awareness about the consequences of voyeurism.
"I don't sleep," she said. "Every noise, every time the door opens, you just feel like someone is watching you 24/7.
"It's taken over my life completely. It's consumed my mind."
In October of the previous year, Guernsey Police informed Lucy that she had been a victim of voyeurism. The perpetrator was a man she had known socially for approximately 25 years. He had secretly filmed her as she exited the shower at her home by crouching outside her window and filming through a gap in her curtains.
Since the incident, Lucy has found it difficult to move past the trauma. She described the experience as soul-destroying and torturous, stating that she is no longer the same person.
"I'm just not the same person. It's soul-destroying, it's torturous."
She also expressed how the incident has stripped her of her feeling of safety, particularly in her own home.
"When you go home, that is supposed to be the place that you feel safe, and I've lost that completely," she explained.
"I'm obsessed. I don't sleep... I have lost all of that."
Effect on Family and Children
Lucy recounted an experience where she was shopping in a supermarket when her husband called to inform her that two plainclothes officers were at their home seeking to speak with her. She later discovered that she was a victim of Kirk Bishop, whose offences had been publicised in a social media post by Guernsey Police the month prior.
The emotional trauma from the incident has had a lasting effect on Lucy, who said she is not the same person and doubts she ever will be.
"Emotional trauma means I am not the same person - I don't think I ever will be."
As a mother of two young children, Lucy noted that the incident has altered how she interacts with them, particularly concerning their privacy and safety at home.
"Sometimes a child gets out of a bath and they'll run down the hallway to their bedroom with no clothes on. I don't want that now.
"They've taken away my children's innocence. I'm constantly making sure they're covered."
Details of Offender and Legal Proceedings
Forty-year-old Kirk Bishop pleaded guilty to 20 charges involving 12 victims at Guernsey's Royal Court on 29 January and Magistrate's Courts on 9 February. The charges included trespass with intent to commit a sexual offence, assault, voyeurism, burglary with intent, and drug possession. The offences occurred between 2022 and 2025.
In some instances, Bishop broke into victims' homes and recorded them engaging in sexual activity.
Despite Bishop's conviction, Lucy expressed dissatisfaction with her experience of the police and justice system, which has led her to question whether she would report a crime in the future.
"Some of the advice I was given by officers, after hearing what Bishop had done to me, was to 'make sure your curtains are closed properly'.
"I was really angry."
Lucy also discovered that a photo of her found on one of Bishop's devices was actually a still image from a video. This image had initially been circulated among some police staff in an attempt to identify her, which she felt was a breach of her privacy.
"That doesn't sit well with me," she said.
"Straight away that ripple effect begins - this is no longer just my business."
She was later informed that there were two videos. Lucy described the ongoing revelations as continually undermining her attempts to cope.
"Every time you think you've dealt with it, something else is thrown at you," she said.
Lucy criticised how her case was handled, citing numerous mistakes and errors, and stated that she no longer feels she can approach the police with concerns.
"I thought my case had been dealt with appallingly. So many mistakes, so many errors. I genuinely don't feel like I could go to them with anything anymore."
The court case was adjourned six times before Bishop entered his pleas.
Guernsey Police acknowledged the complexity of the investigation and expressed sympathy for Lucy, noting that the impact of sexual offences cannot be overstated. The force stated it has met with Lucy, considered her feedback, and apologised that she felt there were issues with the investigation.
Guernsey's Royal Court has been contacted for comment.
Legal Penalties and Legislative Response
Lucy was also distressed to learn that the maximum penalty for voyeurism under Section 95 of the Sexual Offences (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law 2020 is two years' imprisonment or a fine.
Under Guernsey law, a voyeurism offence occurs when a person observes another engaging in a private act without their consent.
"He can only get two years, regardless of the number of victims," Lucy said.
"I genuinely thought I was reading [the sexual offences act] wrong.
"He's going to serve six weeks for what he's done to me."
In November, Guernsey's Committee for Home Affairs announced it was working on updates to the island's sexual offences laws to increase penalties related to voyeurism, partly in response to this case.
Officials from the States of Guernsey indicated in February that they were aiming for a debate on the matter in March or April. A policy letter has yet to be published.
While Lucy views this legislative effort as positive, she expressed frustration that the changes would not apply retroactively to her case.
"If you are changing a law based on a crime that someone has committed, surely they should be punished in line with that?" she said.
Bishop is scheduled to be sentenced on 15 May.
Conclusion
Lucy concluded by reflecting on the loss of safety she once felt living in Guernsey.
"One of the best things about Guernsey was that you felt safe. I've lost all of that."
Follow BBC Guernsey on X, Facebook, and Instagram. Send story ideas to channel.islands@bbc.co.uk.
