Would you attend a peaceful protest if a convicted paedophile moved into your street?

[thefourgp]

I’ve never attended anything similar before and I’m in two minds about going. He was convicted (I’ve read the newspaper articles which show his photo) and has been released after serving half his sentence. I don’t know if he owns the property but he’s moved in with his wife who stood by him. There’s a peaceful protest being arranged. Would you go?

Those of us who have been attacked personally don't need a little essay and to be called "Neanderthals" for expressing shock at how little victims are cared for thanks very much

No I would organise a safety planning meeting g instead and look at ways to manage the risk. I would be honest about my worries but focus on a plan which was not discriminatory because that is the safest for everyone

@Itscontroversial

Vigilantes ensured that my ex was not convicted. They plastered his face all over facebook with their allegations and messed up collecting evidence. His solicitor was able to find enough problems with the case to get it thrown out. So, he is now a free man with access to my children. I've been advised by both my solicitor and social services that I should let him see them to a point as if he goes to court for contact he will probably get it and maybe more than the minimum that he currently gets, such as overnight. When it all first happened I was really scared for my and my children's safety because of this sort of vigilantism. I was scared we'd be attacked or our house set on fire or something and very worried for my children socially. The comments made about me on the vigilante group's page were horrible and very upsetting, assuming that I knew and would be standing by him. In fact he never came home after his arrest, I refused to let him and our relationship is dead for good. If these people had suspicions about his behaviour (and for what it's worth having seen their "evidence" I believe their concerns, it involves online stuff not face to face, not that that is ok) they should have gone straight to the relevant authorities because look where taking the law into their own hands got them. And my family. So I have zero respect for have a go heroes, they are usually attention seeking thugs. I fully agree that this type of protest is all about the protestors and will make children less safe not more as predators are forced to hide.

I am so sorry

This just proves these neanderthals really don't care about the victims at all.

It would depend. If his crimes involved dragging the neighbours children off the street and raping them, then yes because his previous behaviour shows he's a direct risk to neighbours children and it's only a matter of when and who he can grab...

However, he wasn't dragging anybody off the street, his crime was against two kids in his own family, that means he targets them from personal relationships.

His family know to keep kids away from him, his neighbours know to keep kids away from him, he's less of a risk in an area where people know and it's possible to prevent anything from happening by not allowing any relationship to develop.

So in that case, no.

No, I wouldn't, it just makes it worse. I would just steer clear of him, which is easy enough these days.

@PurpleFrames

What is the perfect rational and non NIMBY response to living near a sex offender then? Rolling over and accepting it without a word? Why should children have to be restricted? Why should we live in fear of someone who should not even be in mainstream society at all.

Exactly. Why should ordinary people have to pussyfoot around that person, having safety measures in place so neighbours and children's lives change to accommodate someone like that? That is completely wrong. People feeling like their child can't play in the garden or street, can't go in the paddling pool naked.

What would I want to achieve? To put him back into prison and to flush him out of mainstream society. Make him feel like he needs to go and live an alternative life in the middle of nowhere away from normal society.

@LilacPebbles

Unfortunately Sarah's Law doesn't cover the not small number of men who change their names and then take up with single mothers in a different part of the country. There's been a horrible case near me recently where this happened. Had this particular man not been driven out of his hometown on the lookout for a 'fresh start' then he'd have still been on the radar and not committed his latest crimes. Not that it's anyone's fault but his own. I'm just trying to say that you seem to think you have all the answers but it isn't that simple.

Mmmm that's a real flaw of Sarah's law.

On the other hand, he may have done that anyway. His 'fresh start' was ruined by everyone knowing his secret rather than being forced out by society so in order to find his next victim he needed to move away as he was too well known where he was- from local news reporting etc not from being forced out.

But these suggestions aren't based in reality. Protesting won't magically make him go back to prison. The only thing that can make that happen is if he actually abuses another child and gets prosecuted and convicted. Is that what people want to happen? That would certainly solve the problem of having him living nearby. I'd prefer to swallow my distaste and ignore him than have him abuse someone else so that he can go back to prison for my convenience. It might make me feel safer about my children he's back in prison, but the price of that is sacrificing a different child.

We all live near one. It's just most of us don't know who they are. Having the knowledge means you can take precautions. I feel for the next door neighbour. I wouldn't attend a protest though - what will it achieve?

I haven’t read the thread because I can see that some people are immune to logical arguments. I therefore don’t know if anyone has already posted this link. Essentially a Dr driven out of her house because the locals got confused over her job as a Paediatrician. This is the level of intellect you’re dealing with when you decided to take matters into your own hands. Personally I’d be grateful to know where he is because I can assure you they’re everywhere. ( including in your family)

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/uk/2000/aug/30/childprotection.society

No. I would not. I fucking despise this sort of behaviour.

No
You also run the risk of losing focus on the bigger picture. You may have an (unknown) pedo living next door and by concentrating on this guy you give the mental impression, he is the only one.

We had a situation like this, overlooking our garden, and only recognised him when his parents were filmed leaving court and he was sentenced.

Just teach your children to be as safe as possible anywhere, including the internet. Dont focus only on one possibility. There may be another just behind you.

These protests attract people who essentially like making a noise and bullying other people. It's what leads to innocent paediatricians being persecuted. I would never condone or take part in vigilante action.

@MoonJelly

These protests attract people who essentially like making a noise and bullying other people. It's what leads to innocent paediatricians being persecuted. I would never condone or take part in vigilante action.

Yep.

@Itscontroversial

Vigilantes ensured that my ex was not convicted. They plastered his face all over facebook with their allegations and messed up collecting evidence. His solicitor was able to find enough problems with the case to get it thrown out. So, he is now a free man with access to my children. I've been advised by both my solicitor and social services that I should let him see them to a point as if he goes to court for contact he will probably get it and maybe more than the minimum that he currently gets, such as overnight. When it all first happened I was really scared for my and my children's safety because of this sort of vigilantism. I was scared we'd be attacked or our house set on fire or something and very worried for my children socially. The comments made about me on the vigilante group's page were horrible and very upsetting, assuming that I knew and would be standing by him. In fact he never came home after his arrest, I refused to let him and our relationship is dead for good. If these people had suspicions about his behaviour (and for what it's worth having seen their "evidence" I believe their concerns, it involves online stuff not face to face, not that that is ok) they should have gone straight to the relevant authorities because look where taking the law into their own hands got them. And my family. So I have zero respect for have a go heroes, they are usually attention seeking thugs. I fully agree that this type of protest is all about the protestors and will make children less safe not more as predators are forced to hide.

This. The rent mob forget this. They do more harm. Driven underground is not the best outcome.

I feel sad and angry that stupid people have put this lady and her children in danger

Rent a mob *

It could work the other way though, the protest doesn't need to be full of violence but enough to make a fuss, enough to say we re not happy. Enough to attract attention to the cause. Then if everyone does this in every street they try to move to, a direct message that they aren't wanted in our society, it's not ok to try and live back in their local community or anywhere in society. The force against this becomes stronger- people start to listen, change starts to happen. It becomes to big a problem to try and integrate them back into society, so they do stay in prison longer or they do become outcasts of society and have to live away from civil society.

Surely over history this is how big changes have happened? Not by accepting things as just the way they are, not by giving the message it's ok. But by demanding that it's not ok and they won't be accepted. If everyone does that then maybe a change will happen?

StudyChick agree completely with what you just said.

Change is already happening, in that sentences are getting shorter and shorter, more suspended sentences being given.

Something needs to happen so people feel safer and dont feel they need vigilante justice.

PheasantPlucker1 Can you provide links as to where you have read sentences are getting shorter etc?

I would be interested to read that.

a direct message that they aren't wanted in our society, it's not ok to try and live back in their local community or anywhere in society

You need to stop responding emotionally and think logically about the issue. Where do you live that’s not in a community ? A house on a bleak moor, an island? You still need to eat, to visit the dentists , to see a doctor. This is “ the community”. No one is saying “ come in, welcome we think you’re a great bloke” they’re saying “ I see you, I recognise you for what you are”. Leaving crowds of people to send a supposed peaceful message is fraught with danger because as some of these comments show people are completely incapable of logical thought about it. If you want to campaign about something campaign for more police and probation in sex offender monitoring and greater post conviction powers for more effective supervision.

The rent mob forget this.

I don't even think they do forget it, I think they just don't care in the first place. Plus it's a convenient diversion tactic for some people. What better way to throw the spotlight away from your own activities than to set yourself up as some sort of vigilante.

I dont have links no, but its easy enough to google paedophiles being given suspended sentences.

@studychick81, whether you like it or not, these people ARE part of our community and society. You need to stop talking such nonsense- for example, suggesting people live away from civil society.

@PheasantPlucker1 so, you have not actually validated the point you have just made then?

The replies here amaze me.

Were talking about a man who raped a 5 year old, yet the disgust and scorn is aimed at his neighbours.

The "rent a mob" who are now accused of wanting to hide their "own activities".

Surely not wanting a convicted child rapist live on the street your child plays on is a normal response?

Why the anger and hate at these "rent a mob, vigilante, illogical, thick (and all the other names they have been called)" parents who just dont want their children raped? Can anyone answer that?