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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Have I overstepped here and what do I do

270 replies

AirheadMonent · 01/01/2026 22:39

I posted about a man sending offensive videos and offensive messages to a woman along with naked pictures. It's a vulnerable person and looking like grooming as she's believing it's a relationship. I contacted the police who won't intervene because she's not complaining.

I put a post on the community Facebook page asking if anyone knows a man by the name of (and then gave his nickname). No other information than that. A woman replied saying it's her dad. She's private messaged me asking if everything is ok.

What would you do?

OP posts:
PennyLaneisinmyheartandmysoul · 02/01/2026 13:22

ShawnaMacallister · 02/01/2026 13:10

Why would you suggest contacting adult social services if she's NOT vulnerable?!
OP said she's vulnerable but hasn't actually given any clear reason why other than she has depression and diabetes, neither of which would qualify her for adult social care involvement in this matter. You're suggesting contacting them - why?

Also this, how swamped would ss be if everyone who had diabetes was classed as vulnerable and need their intervention with regards to sexual activity!

PennyLaneisinmyheartandmysoul · 02/01/2026 13:18

mzpq · 02/01/2026 12:58

But that's her choice to involve herself, it doesn't make her vulnerable.

It's been asked a few times before but you haven't answered....WHY is she telling you all about him and showing you his naked videos and photos?

And did you go to the police behind her back or with her blessing?

I feel this is quite important but you keep ignoring it?

This, are you actually talking about a friend or is this you, as you have a huge huge level of information on everything he’s apparently done!

IwishIcouldconfess · 02/01/2026 13:14

NoCommentingFromNowOn · 02/01/2026 13:06

I never said she was vulnerable?

OP is making social media posts and trying to get the police involved but the thing to do if you suspect something like this is to contact social services who can make that decision.

At least two posters have already suggested that but she’s ignoring them.

So why involve SS then?

ShawnaMacallister · 02/01/2026 13:10

NoCommentingFromNowOn · 02/01/2026 13:06

I never said she was vulnerable?

OP is making social media posts and trying to get the police involved but the thing to do if you suspect something like this is to contact social services who can make that decision.

At least two posters have already suggested that but she’s ignoring them.

Why would you suggest contacting adult social services if she's NOT vulnerable?!
OP said she's vulnerable but hasn't actually given any clear reason why other than she has depression and diabetes, neither of which would qualify her for adult social care involvement in this matter. You're suggesting contacting them - why?

NoCommentingFromNowOn · 02/01/2026 13:06

IwishIcouldconfess · 02/01/2026 13:01

But where is the evidence she is vulnerable?

You do know adults have the right to make decisions that are bad for them don't you??

I never said she was vulnerable?

OP is making social media posts and trying to get the police involved but the thing to do if you suspect something like this is to contact social services who can make that decision.

At least two posters have already suggested that but she’s ignoring them.

BriefEncountersOfTheThirdKind · 02/01/2026 13:04

Woman likes to engage in less common sexual practises - vulnerable victim
Man indulges her - predatory abuser

There's a certain misogyny to this...

IwishIcouldconfess · 02/01/2026 13:01

NoCommentingFromNowOn · 02/01/2026 12:54

Contacting adult social services is the best thing. Instead of being rude about this man and making posts on social media, why don’t you do the one thing that will help her? Someone else suggested it further up the thread and you ignored them too.

Do you want to help her or do you want to insert yourself into someone else’s life more than is appropriate?

If you don’t want to phone them for whatever reason, fine, but be honest and stop obsessing over her then.

But where is the evidence she is vulnerable?

You do know adults have the right to make decisions that are bad for them don't you??

mzpq · 02/01/2026 12:58

AirheadMonent · 02/01/2026 11:40

I'm sure there are plenty of single men she could do that with if she looked, instead of involving herself with a scuzzy cheat.

@AyeKarumba So would I, but I don't want to be the one to tell her.

Edited

But that's her choice to involve herself, it doesn't make her vulnerable.

It's been asked a few times before but you haven't answered....WHY is she telling you all about him and showing you his naked videos and photos?

And did you go to the police behind her back or with her blessing?

I feel this is quite important but you keep ignoring it?

NoCommentingFromNowOn · 02/01/2026 12:54

AirheadMonent · 02/01/2026 10:53

Isn't that making her the problem not him though?

Contacting adult social services is the best thing. Instead of being rude about this man and making posts on social media, why don’t you do the one thing that will help her? Someone else suggested it further up the thread and you ignored them too.

Do you want to help her or do you want to insert yourself into someone else’s life more than is appropriate?

If you don’t want to phone them for whatever reason, fine, but be honest and stop obsessing over her then.

Mosaic80 · 02/01/2026 12:04

I think I’d say to the daughter that he’s messaging a very vulnerable friend of yours and that you’re worried about her. That may be enough for her to mention to him and even if he denies (which he will), it could worry him enough to stop.

PollyPlumPeach · 02/01/2026 11:55

AirheadMonent · 02/01/2026 11:40

I'm sure there are plenty of single men she could do that with if she looked, instead of involving herself with a scuzzy cheat.

@AyeKarumba So would I, but I don't want to be the one to tell her.

Edited

It's not your role to choose suitable partners for her

StartingFreshFor2026 · 02/01/2026 11:46

Unless it's absolutely exceptional circumstances even severe anxiety and depression is unlikely to constitute lack of capacity. People are allowed to make unwise decisions.

Onelifeonly · 02/01/2026 11:43

AirheadMonent · 02/01/2026 10:05

I do, and he does, but naively I thought of how people like Wayne Couzens used to behave with messages and was concerned about that and where it could lead to with him becoming a pest and worse. She's made some foolish decisions about men that have cost her emotionally and financially, asked for advice and ignored it in the past.

There's been another of her male 'friends' in the past ask her for my number because she talks indiscriminately about her sisters and friends (or friend, ie me, I'm the only real life friend she has) and this one has suggested to her that I would like to join their FaceTime which is him apparently asking her to order him to undress and do other things.

He messages and says he'll tell her when the coast is clear.

So I'm going to ignore the daughter and if she messages again say something like it's sorted, someone was trying to get in touch and they've found him or something.

I'm going to back off with the friend and see less of her too and if she mentions him shut it down. If she doesn't get the support she wants then well she's going to have to ask someone else.

They can get on with it and whatever happens to them well it's their life.

I get you want to help your friend and try to prevent her getting into a mess, but you can't help someone who doesn't want help. I assume you've expressed your concerns? You don't have to fully back off- be there for her if she needs you. As for the guy, you have no idea of what his wife may know or consent to, so it's really none of your business. You see it as harmful, your friend presumably sees it as fun and exciting. And maybe knows the end will come and cause her misery, but simply not care for now. Being upset or even devastated isn't something we can, or necessarily should, avoid in life.

AirheadMonent · 02/01/2026 11:40

IwishIcouldconfess · 02/01/2026 11:18

So not allowed to explore her sexuality?

I'm sure there are plenty of single men she could do that with if she looked, instead of involving herself with a scuzzy cheat.

@AyeKarumba So would I, but I don't want to be the one to tell her.

OP posts:
HK04 · 02/01/2026 11:20

None of it is really your business or problem to solve though. Your friend has health challenges, poor judgement and form but is not someone who lacks mental capacity. Unless she was/is extremely distressed and asking for your urgent help why would you intervene?

Did she ask you to post on FB and does she know for example? That was a really daft thing to do. Even if you don’t reply to the daughter it may be she asks him about it or is also upset now in not knowing. It’s a grubby situation but you seem to have been on a mission here without any clear reason or mandate to undertake an intervention.

IwishIcouldconfess · 02/01/2026 11:18

AirheadMonent · 01/01/2026 22:57

Police have said they can't get involved as no crime has been committed as she's not put in a complaint. She's vulnerable through serious illness, having therapy for depression and anxiety and being housebound and lonely so she seizes on attention.

So not allowed to explore her sexuality?

AyeKarumba · 02/01/2026 11:17

I think if i was his wife I’d want to know what he’s doing. Ask if she can put you in contact?

AirheadMonent · 02/01/2026 11:11

IwishIcouldconfess · 02/01/2026 11:02

Other than sending naked video's of himself to her, ( yes that's vile behind his wifes back ) what has he done?

You seem very involved!

I'm involved as you put it because I've become more or less a PA to her, that I'll be scaling back.

OP posts:
JLou08 · 02/01/2026 11:11

Having poor physical and mental health doesn't mean a woman is unable to make her own decisions. You may not approve but if she has capacity, which I assume she does otherwise the police would have been taking action, you need to let her make her own decisions around relationships.

DancyNancy · 02/01/2026 11:08

@AirheadMonent
I see you care for this woman and want this creep to back off.
However, from your description of her, this is a pattern, and if you manage to get rid of this fella, there'll be another.

For your own sake, it is worth realising that you can't stand and fight off every guy she brings in to her circle.
If you really want to help her, It would be a better spend of energy to get some professional advice for yourself, on practical ways you can support her while also minding yourself.
There's only so much you can do. I know it's hard to watch another person in self destructive behaviors.

Take care

Dancingsquirrels · 02/01/2026 11:08

BlackCatDiscoClub · 01/01/2026 23:16

The other thing here though is, unless your friend has a severe learning disability, shes an adult who gets to make her own decisions. Is it right for her to be sexually messaging a married man? No, but thats her informed mistake to make. You didn't mention was disability she has, but depression and anxiety doesn't mean she can't engage with whoever she wants sexually. And the fact they are facetiming naked together, it sounds like she is up for it? She's not underage or the police would be involved, so what is your core concern?

I'm sympathetic to the vulnerable woman, but people have the right to make unwise choices

And man having a bit of fun with a woman who's hoping for a relationship is a story as old as time

I think OP is overstepping

IwishIcouldconfess · 02/01/2026 11:02

AirheadMonent · 02/01/2026 10:53

Isn't that making her the problem not him though?

Other than sending naked video's of himself to her, ( yes that's vile behind his wifes back ) what has he done?

You seem very involved!

AirheadMonent · 02/01/2026 10:53

Pearlstillsinging · 02/01/2026 10:47

You should contact Adult Safeguarding. And tell them that carers may be able to confirm some of the details.

Edited

Isn't that making her the problem not him though?

OP posts:
BriefEncountersOfTheThirdKind · 02/01/2026 10:48

LilyBunch25 · 02/01/2026 08:42

Just, no! Why would anyone think its ok to involve the daughter in this??

Someone actually suggested sending the DD the videos!

Which is absolutely sick

Pearlstillsinging · 02/01/2026 10:47

AirheadMonent · 02/01/2026 10:14

@Grenaada It is. She's a self confessed attention seeker. She says she craves attention from men. There's been a whole line up of them, all virtual relationships and all of them attached (or scammers).

She had an online therapist for her MH problems for over a year and a physio at home, and it got her nowhere because she was flirting with them.

She has carers, all women, and the guy I'm talking about suggested they might like to watch too.

Any suggestions about joining groups or having befriending services is ignored as she prefers this.

I think this thread has helped me realise they're birds of a feather. I think he's pure filth and should be ashamed of himself. I do hope his wife finds out and throws him out.

I hate men like him. Maybe his wife will cop on and come on Mumsnet and get told to LEAVE THE BASTARD.

Edited

You should contact Adult Safeguarding. And tell them that carers may be able to confirm some of the details.