Neighbour charged with abuse

[yawningbear]

Earlier today a neighbour who has never spoken to me before told us that another neighbour 2 doors down has been charged with child sexual abuse. I was really shocked at what she was telling me and was just trying to process the information so didn't have a lengthy conversation with her. I have no idea if she is planning on telling all the neighbours. She said she thought I would want to know as we have children.

I have since googled and found lots of news reports, very serious charges over a long period of time with lots of victims but trial is not for sometime. I feel awful about it all and unsure whether I have some kind of obligation to tell other parents in the street. I feel like some kind of daily fail reader all of sudden and don't like that feeling at all. I am not someone to gossip or spread rumours so my instinct is not to say anything but perhaps in this case I should?

Before you do anything sit down, talk with your partner and come to terms with it yourself.

Its a bloody horrible shock, and your mind may well be raking over every insignificant detail so give yourself some time to process. If its common knowledge in the papers your neighbour may well have moved.

Yes, Thank you Time, it is a horrible shock. I can't stop thinking about it which is why I posted on here. DP said that it was better to know than not, which then made me think that perhaps we should pass the information on. I don't know anyone on the street very well but there are lots of reasonably new arrivals with kids. From the news reports it all sounds very serious and likely that he will get a prison sentence I would of thought.

I would assume that the person who told you, will consider it appropriate to tell any young families in the immediate locality.

Must have been a real shock!

Yes, that is very true, she was quite strident so I guess she maybe will speak with others as well. We have been letting the kids play out which others don't as their children are slightly younger and I wondered if this is what had prompted her to speak to us today.

my ndn groomed my dd - yes, tell neighbours because this one was doing the same subtle step by step to other kids - the police can't act as there is no useable evidence but they were totally convinced he is a predator

That sounds awful Juliascurr. I am sorry that happened to your DD. Fortunately I have never seen this man speak to any of the neighbours at all and all bar one family all have very young kids, ie under 3 who are not out and about unsupervised. I am sure he hasn't befriended any of the other families or children. We had noticed the police had visited recently so presumably he has been warned against contact with children. I totally take on board your point though, I think I should probably speak to others. One family just moved in on Friday, horrible news to hear when just moving into your new home.