LENEXA, Kan. — New details are emerging after a man was accused of taking pictures of women without their consent inside a dressing room at a Lenexa, Kansas, store.
Lenexa police responded to the Nordstrom Rack on Quivira Road Sunday afternoon on a report of a man taking pictures and video of women without their knowledge in the changing room, according to a police report.
Police said Wednesday they had identified the man.
On Thursday, customers at the store were watching their surroundings after learning about the incident in the fitting room.
"I think it's so violating. I can't even imagine — you’re not going in there in hopes that someone is going to see you,” shopper Chloe Egbert said. “It’s private for that reason. I wish it would stay private.”
In a separate case, a man will be sentenced next month for taking photos of women inside dressing rooms across the street at the Oak Park Mall.
“It's disappointing that there are people out there like that," Egbert said.
In recent years, 41 Action News has reported on the rising trend of this type of crime.
"This type of situation can really shake someone's belief in safety and comfort in being in spaces that otherwise felt like they should be safe," said Victoria Pickering, director of advocacy at Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault (MOCSA).
Pickering said that people accused of committing these crimes often want to feel they have power over their victims.
"The mentality that people have that gives them the feeling of having the right to other people's bodies, so people exert power and control over others in a variety of different, inappropriate ways," Pickering said.
She added a societal shift in mindset needs to happen.
"Talking to young people about bodily autonomy and consent is one of the ways that we work together to prevent this from happening in the future," Pickering said.
Nordstrom released a statement Thursday regarding the incident at its Lenexa store:
The safety and privacy of our customers is a top priority for us and we're concerned to hear this was our customer's experience while in our store. As soon as we became aware of the situation, we immediately notified the Lenexa PD. We're actively working with them in their ongoing investigation.
