Aussie tourist is filmed having sex with a woman outside a house in Bali as shocked homeowner is forced to flee back inside after catching the pair
Australian police have launched a manhunt for an Australian tourist filmed having sex with a woman outside a house in Bali, after a horrified homeowner disturbed the pair and fled back indoors. The incident, which lasted around 15 minutes, was caught on CCTV in Tibubeneng village, North Kuta, and has prompted concern from local authorities about the impact on the area's reputation for security and tourism. Police say they have identified the man and are working with immigration officials to locate him.
The homeowner encountered the couple in her yard on Saturday evening at about 6.30pm as she was heading out to pray, and shouted at them to stop, but they continued before eventually walking away. In Balinese Hindu belief, public sexual activity is thought to bring bad energy to a home, so the homeowner had to carry out a cleansing ceremony. North Kuta Police chief Comr. I Ketut Sukadana said the act could cause public concern and damage tourism's image if not dealt with firmly, whether through customary or national law.
- Manhunt launched for Australian man filmed having public sex in Bali
- Homeowner disturbed couple, fled inside, later held cleansing ceremony
- Police say man identified, searching with immigration authorities' help
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Australians travelling to Bali are subject to Indonesian law, but incidents involving tourists can also become matters for local police, immigration authorities and, sometimes, traditional Balinese customs. Bali has long relied on its reputation as a safe, family-friendly destination to sustain its tourism industry, and authorities there are often quick to act on incidents seen as damaging to that image.
Balinese Hindu belief also plays a part in how such incidents are dealt with locally. Public indecency is considered by many Balinese to bring negative spiritual energy to a property, meaning those affected may carry out a religious cleansing ceremony, separate from any police or legal action taken against those involved.
Cases involving foreign tourists behaving inappropriately in Bali have drawn wider attention in recent years, with Indonesian officials periodically warning that repeated incidents risk harming the island's standing with both local communities and the travel industry.