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MNHQ

Update from MNHQ addressing the recent images posted on the site

487 replies

JustineMumsnet · 04/02/2025 12:13

Hi all,
There have been a number of threads discussing what happened re the posting of CSA images on site and so I want to be absolutely clear: we would never seek to shut down reasonable criticism and we're taking on board all the feedback and will be carefully considering how we can improve our procedures and moderation to prevent this happening again.

As a temporary measure, we have suspended all image posting and will soon be implementing AI filters to flag illegal/disturbing images before they appear on the site. We’re also liaising with external specialists to see if there are any further tools we can employ to help us prevent this from happening again in the future. We reported it to the police first thing the morning after the attack and we have a follow up meeting with them tomorrow.

It's also pretty clear from what we can see behind the scenes that there is an ongoing, coordinated effort from trolls to further inflame these discussions, and cause as much disruption as possible. We are taking steps to remove bad faith actors, but we know this can be frustrating for those who just want to express your views about what happened. If you come across any posts that seem designed to stir up more conflict rather than contribute constructively, please do report them - your reports really help us to act swiftly. Many thanks for your patience while we work to sort this out.

OP posts:
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Janiie · 06/02/2025 08:50

I find it quite staggering that people can post crap on sm and be promptly arrested charged and given custodial sentences, yet more serious posts like csa seem to have the authorities scratching their heads and seemingly unable to locate and name the pervs.

No idea obviously if that is the case here, but why do we hear who said what on X yet csa criminals seem to be shrouded in mystery.

AlisonDonut · 06/02/2025 08:45

CalicoPusscat · 06/02/2025 08:44

Shame - whoever it was did mass distribution of CSA

I think the UK needs a proper campaign to actually do something about these people. But the judges seem to just let them off time and time again.

CalicoPusscat · 06/02/2025 08:44

Shame - whoever it was did mass distribution of CSA

AlisonDonut · 06/02/2025 08:34

CalicoPusscat · 06/02/2025 08:15

@ErrolTheDragon yeah it won't happen overnight.

The thing I most want to happen is that the perpetrator is traced.

And what?

If he is in the UK, and gets found, and gets charged and gets found guilty, nothing will happen.

He might have to pay a small fine and go on a course.

He might get a suspended sentence but that's the extent of what will happen.

CalicoPusscat · 06/02/2025 08:15

@ErrolTheDragon yeah it won't happen overnight.

The thing I most want to happen is that the perpetrator is traced.

ErrolTheDragon · 06/02/2025 08:06

Oblomov25 · 06/02/2025 07:13

Not able to post pictures still?

I would think it takes quite a while to get AI image filtering in place.
I don't know what it takes but I'd be astonished if it could be done in a matter of days (find a provider of appropriate models, contracts....then integration and testing?)

CalicoPusscat · 06/02/2025 07:55

I think it's easier if a poster is saying vile things than to erase an image from your head, and feel really sorry for anyone who saw the photos.

Although hopefully that won't happen again.

AlisonDonut · 06/02/2025 07:45

Oblomov25 · 06/02/2025 07:13

Not able to post pictures still?

It took 20 years to get photos posted, let alone a quote function. You might have to take a seat while you wait.

CalicoPusscat · 06/02/2025 07:42

@Oblomov25 I'm not sure but doubt it

Oblomov25 · 06/02/2025 07:13

Not able to post pictures still?

mainecooncatonahottinroof · 05/02/2025 23:53

PandoraSox · 05/02/2025 13:47

"Challenge it on the thread" is a favourite response.

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And then you do that and get deleted!

mainecooncatonahottinroof · 05/02/2025 23:52

cranberrytart · 05/02/2025 23:43

Well, that is kind of what happens when a person is traumatised.

The first thread - which was where posters were directed by MNHQ to seek answers from MNHQ - has filled. So where are posters supposed to be getting these promised updates, especially as so many threads on the topic were either deleted, or closed, and posters directed to the thread that has now filled?

One might well ask why you are here on this thread, going on and on and on about how people should just breeze over this and move on.

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Thank you!

I can't just "breeze over this" - I totally did not ever expect to see such images on a parenting website! I am fortunate to not have experienced CSA but I can't begin to imagine the effect this must have had on anyone who did!

I can't get those fucking horrible images out of my head, and I was exposed to them via a parenting website where I should have been able to expect to be safe!

If you were fortunate enough not to see them @saraclara please give space to those of us who did, and have been sickened by it!

mainecooncatonahottinroof · 05/02/2025 23:47

saraclara · 05/02/2025 23:14

Probably, but what's the point on going on and on and on about it?

My initial post was in response to the first thread filling up and the 'where are we going to continue to post about this now?' wail.

My answer is that we don't need to continue to post about it. Everything's been said. What wasn't done before will now be done. Moaning over and over again is pointless.

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Who is "going on and on and on about it"???

You clearly didn't see it. I can't get the images out of my head!

Maybe you would understand if you had been subjected to such vile images!!

cranberrytart · 05/02/2025 23:43

saraclara · 05/02/2025 23:14

Probably, but what's the point on going on and on and on about it?

My initial post was in response to the first thread filling up and the 'where are we going to continue to post about this now?' wail.

My answer is that we don't need to continue to post about it. Everything's been said. What wasn't done before will now be done. Moaning over and over again is pointless.

Show quote history

Well, that is kind of what happens when a person is traumatised.

The first thread - which was where posters were directed by MNHQ to seek answers from MNHQ - has filled. So where are posters supposed to be getting these promised updates, especially as so many threads on the topic were either deleted, or closed, and posters directed to the thread that has now filled?

One might well ask why you are here on this thread, going on and on and on about how people should just breeze over this and move on.

saraclara · 05/02/2025 23:14

mainecooncatonahottinroof · 05/02/2025 23:06

It should have been in place before those images were shared.

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Probably, but what's the point on going on and on and on about it?

My initial post was in response to the first thread filling up and the 'where are we going to continue to post about this now?' wail.

My answer is that we don't need to continue to post about it. Everything's been said. What wasn't done before will now be done. Moaning over and over again is pointless.

mainecooncatonahottinroof · 05/02/2025 23:06

saraclara · 05/02/2025 23:05

Okay. A senior member of staff will be on call. It's a few hours since I read that post.
But that is what was needed when those images appeared, and now it's in place.

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It should have been in place before those images were shared.

saraclara · 05/02/2025 23:05

cranberrytart · 05/02/2025 22:52

Where did you see a senior member of staff will be working overnight? I have only read that they will be contactable overnight, not working. I mean, why would they work when the NW will do it/some of it, as permitted, for free?

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Okay. A senior member of staff will be on call. It's a few hours since I read that post.
But that is what was needed when those images appeared, and now it's in place.

mainecooncatonahottinroof · 05/02/2025 23:05

saraclara · 05/02/2025 23:01

Well another change you can see is that NO images can be uploaded at this time.

The other changes that are planned are not going to be visible to posters. They'll be in the software.

Edited
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With all due respect @saraclara and I normally agree with your posts, but this was predictable, and should never have happened!

I am traumatised by seeing the sexual abuse of little girls, and whatever action MN takes now, all of the posters who saw it have to live with the consequences!

mainecooncatonahottinroof · 05/02/2025 23:02

It wasn't even just the vile images, but the disgusting commentary that accompanied them, and which was repeated in the emails that MN sent to posters who had reported the posts! It was all so sick and so traumatising! I have experienced sexual abuse, though thankfully not CSA, but I can't imagine the impact on someone who did experience CSA! I don't think that can be emphasised more strongly!

saraclara · 05/02/2025 23:01

mainecooncatonahottinroof · 05/02/2025 22:52

I've never seen images like that in my life, and I would like to be reassured that I won't ever see them again!

The only change I can see is a pop up asking if you want to pay for premium membership or not!! That isn't exactly reassuring!!

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Well another change you can see is that NO images can be uploaded at this time.

The other changes that are planned are not going to be visible to posters. They'll be in the software.

mainecooncatonahottinroof · 05/02/2025 22:55

cranberrytart · 05/02/2025 22:52

Where did you see a senior member of staff will be working overnight? I have only read that they will be contactable overnight, not working. I mean, why would they work when the NW will do it/some of it, as permitted, for free?

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Yes, where did you see that @saraclara ? I haven't seen it anywhere.

And I would have expected a statement that all users could see. Instead it was hours after the event on a board most posters would never access!

I am traumatised by what I saw!!!

mainecooncatonahottinroof · 05/02/2025 22:52

saraclara · 05/02/2025 22:45

But they've told you what they're going to be doing.

I appreciate that it was shocking and difficult to see those images, but we've been told what they've done so far and what they're planning to do.

The same questions are being asked over and over, but they've basically been answered. Of course there'll be a lot more going on than we know, and further things that need investigating and expert advice taken, but really, hundreds of posts continuing to say or ask the same thing, pointlessly, when HQ has already said what they're plans are, is achieving nothing.

Edited
Show quote history

I've never seen images like that in my life, and I would like to be reassured that I won't ever see them again!

The only change I can see is a pop up asking if you want to pay for premium membership or not!! That isn't exactly reassuring!!

cranberrytart · 05/02/2025 22:52

saraclara · 05/02/2025 22:48

As a temporary measure, we have suspended all image posting and will soon be implementing AI filters to flag illegal/disturbing images before they appear on the site. We’re also liaising with external specialists to see if there are any further tools we can employ to help us prevent this from happening again in the future

Given that, and the post saying that there will now be a senior member of staff working overnight, what more can you expect at this stage? It will take ongoing action and improvements of course, but I don't think we can really expect any more than this in the short time since the incident.

Edited

Where did you see a senior member of staff will be working overnight? I have only read that they will be contactable overnight, not working. I mean, why would they work when the NW will do it/some of it, as permitted, for free?

saraclara · 05/02/2025 22:48

As a temporary measure, we have suspended all image posting and will soon be implementing AI filters to flag illegal/disturbing images before they appear on the site. We’re also liaising with external specialists to see if there are any further tools we can employ to help us prevent this from happening again in the future

Given that, and the post saying that there will now be a senior member of staff working overnight, what more can you expect at this stage? It will take ongoing action and improvements of course, but I don't think we can really expect any more than this in the short time since the incident.

saraclara · 05/02/2025 22:45

mainecooncatonahottinroof · 05/02/2025 22:25

I don't know if you saw any of the posts @saraclara but I did unfortunately, and I'd like an update personally. I saw some of the images in the body of a thread and I can't get them out of my head! I have never seen anything like it, never expected to, and never want to again! The accompanying comments were beyond sick, and they were repeated in the email I got in response to my report!

I would like to be assured that this will not happen again, and I would like to know what MN is doing to ensure that it won't!

I don't need to "get a grip" because I can't unsee those images!!

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But they've told you what they're going to be doing.

I appreciate that it was shocking and difficult to see those images, but we've been told what they've done so far and what they're planning to do.

The same questions are being asked over and over, but they've basically been answered. Of course there'll be a lot more going on than we know, and further things that need investigating and expert advice taken, but really, hundreds of posts continuing to say or ask the same thing, pointlessly, when HQ has already said what they're plans are, is achieving nothing.