so is there anyway MNHQ can contact a poster or call services to them?

[MsIngaFewmarbles]

I have been thinking about this in relation to a current thread where a poster may be in danger.

Can HQ get the poster's details from the database and intervene?

[SPBisResisting]

Doubt it unless we put an address in when we register.
Which thread

[MsIngaFewmarbles]

In relationships. I can't believe he's doing this or similar is the title.

Maybe she might have entered competitions or something?

[SPBisResisting]

Ethically dodgy imo. Not see the thread tho

[ToughestDecisionEver]

I emailed MNHQ about something similar last night and got a message today saying they don't intervene and usually only have an email address for people. I'm pretty sure that even Samaritans can't call ambulances for people without permission

[MsIngaFewmarbles]

Bloody hell :(

[SPBisResisting]

Shit :(

[YoureBeingADick]

Hq would have to have posters permission to call services in their behalf and i doubt people want someone else deciding for them they need intervention so wouldnt agree. If they were to ask indiviudally based on one thread 'do you want us to call X service?' Well if the poster says yes, why dont they just call for themselves?

Hq should not have that responsibility imo

[Trills]

I agree - apart from the fact that very few people would put their details into a database of we will call the police if we are worried about you, it would be a terrible burden for the person on duty to have to decide whether they should intervene or not.

[MsIngaFewmarbles]

I know you are right but I just feel so useless and wish something could be done :(

[difficultpickle]

Surely the OP could be tracked via their IP address? MNHQ have records of those as that is how they know banned posters post with different email addresses iirc. Just read that thread. Really reminds me of a poster Starsnstripes who did manage to get out of an abusive relationship and to a place of safety.

[YoureBeingADick]

Bisjo would you really welcome the idea of mnhq tracing your address through your ip adress and sending the police to your door at 1am because of a thread you posted about your relationship withiut your permission?

[HeySoulSister]

I remember starsnstripes.... The bread and milk thread, mumsnet at its best!

I also remember hedgewitchs thread... Where we DID intervene. Her DP was not impressed iirc!

[difficultpickle]

Hedgewitch wasn't impressed either but I really do wonder if she was genuine.

Dick - good name - if I were the poster then I would welcome the sort of help and support that the MN community, and one poster in particular, gave to the poster I referenced.

[MuggedByTheSleepThief]

Could also result in some troll types receiving a visit from the police or emergency services, not best use of their time.

Haven't seen the thread generating concern tonight but will keep my fingers crossed that she is safe.

[YoureBeingADick]

The thing is bisjo- one person's support is another person's interferance. Something you consider in need of urgent intervention might be thought of as a massive over reaction that created a whole can of worms for that persons life. Say someone has the police turn up on their door before they are ready to accept that their partner is abusive and it tips their partner off that theyve been talking about them on mumsnet. That could have really bad consequences for them and any children.

[RebeccaMumsnet]

Hi all,

Thanks for raising this. We always take reports about threads such as this extremely seriously.

On the whole MNetters are fabulous about pointing the OP in the right direction and offering support, advice and links on the thread. We back this up with links to our relevant webguide when the thread is reported to us.

Our privacy policy states:

We do not, as a clear and overarching rule, pass on your information, unless you specifically consent to us doing so or we are specifically required to by law. However, on rare occasions where there appears to be a clear need to safeguard the welfare of a Mumsnetter and/or his/her family, it may be necessary to contact relevant authorities about a clearly identifiable member and his/her posts on Mumsnet.


We hope that this helps to clear things up and many thanks to all of you who reported.