NSPCC and SSAUK

We've had many discussions on FWR about the rolling back of safeguarding, but this is really quite something. This is Childline and anyone can sign up and talk to kids about sex, porn and puberty blockers ffs. It doesn't seem like a remotely safe environment in which to be doing that at all.

posters giving children guidance about their trans identities and sexuality could be any old Tom, Dick or Harry?

I strongly suspect that the "children" on this site may very well be Tom, Dick, Harry or indeed Jimmy.

Maybe we need to sign up as middle aged women who actually give a fuck about safeguarding and point out that chatting to strangers online about sex is a really, really bad idea if you're a child and goes against all safeguarding principles.

Just read those boards. Pretty shocked!
And I would bet my last dollar some of those posters are middle aged men. They do not ring true to me at all.
Even more shocked that no vetting takes place before joining
A safeguarding nightmare!

whose aim.....

And not allow people to reply to a thread with "Google it" - like that's going to end well with the second thread I posted above

Or of course children and teenagers can talk to each other in real life where they know who they are talking to.

I never thought I would see a time safeguarding wise where it was up to parents to safeguard their children from actions of the very organisations funded to protect them . The NSPCC's reactions to their employee in fetish gear wanking in the work toilets was a massive red flag.
FGS - how has it got to this? I've worked with the NSPCC in their statutory safeguarding role on numerous occasions and they used to be shit hot on assessing risk and supporting parents and schools in response to abuse. They know (as do we) that paedophiles seek out children via unmonitored routes - on and off line. Who on earth are they / Childline employing that they can allow message boards allegedly for children to be used in this way with no oversight or intervention? As has already been said, this is a predator's dream.

It made me feel extremely uncomfortable having a quick read of that thread.
But it did make me think, how are teenagers able to ask questions about sex and relationships and talk to each other? What would the best way be? If they can’t talk to parents or teachers because it’s too embarrassing or personal?

Fuck, fuck, FUCK. I can't look at any more after this, I am so angry.

So I am a 13 year old girl and I masturbate sometimes, I want to do it more but I have a problem and something else that is bothering me.

So the problem is that after almost every time I masturbate my v area becomes itchy or kind of hot. Is this normal or is there something wrong.

The second thing is that I have tried almost everything, other than porn because I am trying not to become addicted again, but I almost never have an orgasm or cum. How can I have an orgasm
www.childline.org.uk/get-support/message-boards/boards/threads/thread/?messageid=186158

Why the fuck do Childline think this is appropriate

So, as some of you may know I don’t know who but some of you commented on my post about me licking my girlfriends breasts and touching her bottom half all within consent but then after we done that she went home a couple of times and sent me breast pictures

www.childline.org.uk/get-support/message-boards/boards/threads/thread/?messageid=186130

Apologies, for shouting, I realise it is not the done thing but FUCKING HELL

www.childline.org.uk/get-support/message-boards/boards/threads/?boardid=77&roomid=272

Talk about a green light for paedophiles.

And yes, this needs to be on the main boards. Every parent needs to know about this.

Fucking hell! I hadn't seen the message boards before.

The first message I looked at on one of the boards linked above:

HI, my name is Lily, and I use the pronouns she/her. I was wondering how I would go about consulting my GP (I live in England)? Who exactly are they and what do they do? I'd like to inform them I'm transgender and see if I can be referred to a GIC.

The reply

Hi Lily, if you want to go to a GP for hormone blockers than it would be best to bring along a parent who is okay with them. Expalin to the GP that you are trans,what your pronouns and name are and what you want to be reffered for. Then will probably ask you a few question and then probably refer you to GIC. Fair warning,the waiting list for this is very long but don’t be discouraged. Th NHS might have some more information on their website, I hope this helped :-)

Freddy (They/Them)

I am that the Childline mods thought it was appropriate to recommend puberty blockers to a child that hadn't even mentioned them.

That whole gender identity board is a shitshow of children affirming each other - where the fuck are the adults?

Btw, I wouldn't have much hope for Esther even if she was involved. She used to be pals with Jimmy Saville.

I've just signed up as an 11 year old and have posted on the message board. They do moderate before your post goes live but no vetting.

That is so incredibly concerning that there are no restrictions but also the complete lack of awareness of it not being appropriate for 11 year olds to chat with strangers online. It is similar to how certain activists were encouraging children to DM them on Twitter and couldn't see what was wrong with it.

This needs wider exposure.

Perhaps OP could also post in AIBU or Chat?

I've just signed up as an 11 year old and have posted on the message board. They do moderate before your post goes live but no vetting.

Well that's great isn't it. Well done for exposing a gaping safeguarding hole there Clymene. So posters giving children guidance about their trans identities and sexuality could be any old Tom, Dick or Harry?

This is so horrifying. Thanks so much to SSAUK for all your work.

Safe Schools UK is the new incarnation of a proper child protection agency.

There is no way the NSPCC can effectively implement safeguarding advice with their current stance.

They appear to be complicit in the sexualisation of ever younger children, because they have boxed themselves into a position where they have to accept a premise that undermines safeguarding.

They should be spearheading campaigns to blow the entire porn industry wide open. And investigating gender identity politics and how it effects children. Not colluding in it.

What sort of vetting is Childline doing to make sure the young people on those boards are who they say they are? It looks very easy to sign up.

Worth a reminder that NSPCC are unique amongst charities in having statutory powers.