A well-known Brazilian model faced legal consequences after opting to walk her dogs without a top. The young woman asserted her stance on gender equality, contending that it was unjust for men to be allowed to go shirtless in public while women could not. Citing the acceptance of toplessness for adult females in other countries, she argued for the same practice in her own. Caroline Werner, the model in question, was arrested for indecency in May 2023. The New York Post reported that she boldly removed her shirt, wrapped it around her waist, and walked along a street near Balneário Camboriú beach. Law enforcement intervened, handcuffed her, and provided a blouse at the police station.
Werner faced charges of “committing an obscene act” for violating a longstanding Brazilian law that prohibits women from going topless in public. Despite having numerous bikini and provocative photos on her Instagram page, the model criticized the hypersexualized treatment of the female body in her country. She pointed out that other nations did not view breasts in the same objectifying manner and expressed her determination to challenge what she deemed an unjust law.
Additionally, Werner contends that the legal system violated her fundamental rights during her time in custody. She asserts that officers kept her handcuffed in a dimly lit cell for an hour, denied her access to legal representation despite repeated requests, and did not provide her with a phone throughout the ordeal. A plea deal is presently under consideration, with the 37-year-old potentially facing up to a year in jail and substantial fines if the case proceeds to court.
Laws regarding clothing exhibit significant variations across countries. In the United States, regulations governing women’s toplessness can differ based on state and/or specific situations. In nations with stringent laws, women may encounter imprisonment for merely appearing in public without covering their heads. As an illustration, in Iran, women can be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison for choosing not to wear a hijab.
