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Original poster

teacher who has run off to France with his 15 year old pupil - thread 2

176 replies

shesariver · 27/09/2012 16:26

Original thread has reached 1000 messages and cant see another one so hope IANBU to start this, stuck at work and wondering what the press conference has said?

OP posts:
Original poster
shesariver · 28/09/2012 09:48

Im wondering about this so called "sighting", no reason not to think it could not be real but just a bit wary, (remembering all the false sightings of a well known missing girl.)

OP posts:
edam · 28/09/2012 09:50

The media is fulfilling the essential role it has in a democracy - that of exposing wrongdoing by the authorities. This diocese and this school have got away with a series of cases of abuse and failures to keep children safe - a supply teacher convicted of grooming pupils, a school governor who was allowed to remain in post despite facing allegations of abusing children over decades (allegations it appears the Bishop tried to suppress, not even informing the diocesan safeguarding officer), a teacher who was known to be conducting a relationship with a 14yo.

If there had been MORE scrutiny, not less, perhaps parents would have realised their children were not safe, and perhaps the school would have actually lived up to its responsibilities instead of breaching them flagrantly.

Marne · 28/09/2012 10:00

I have mixed feeling about this, i understand how hard it must be for the parents but i do feel it has been blown out of proportion by the media, i think its the fact that there is nothing else as big (or bigger) in the news at the moment. I sympathise with everyone involved but at the end of the day the girl is probably safe and will probably return when they realise living on the run will not be easy.

When i was the same age i was groomed (if thats what you want to call it) by a older man (he was 25), i thought i loved him, i probably did love him and the more people told me it was wrong the more i was pushe towards him. It did go tits up in the end (in a big way) and my family were there to pick up the pieces. I just hope when things do go wrong she can get home to her parents.

edam · 28/09/2012 10:07

Teachers suspected of abuse given anonymity - which would stymie appeals for absconding teachers to return. FFS. Do politicians never think about what their stupid policies mean in practice?

meditrina · 28/09/2012 10:23

It seems the UK police and the families want this to continue in the headlines to maximise the chances of possible sightings being reported. Or at least for the pair to hear them and be in touch. Apparently, following Crimewatch there have been reported sightings from many places, and I expect all of these are currently being investigated.

The question of anonymity isn't straightforward as some complaints are proved to be unfounded, and the career- and reputation- wrecking effect on someone innocent is wrong.

What is needed is balance; anonymity in the early stages, at least until an investigation shows there is a case to answer. But that only works if all these OFSTED approved policies are actually implemented and parents know they can rely on proper standards.

Mrsjay · 28/09/2012 10:26

I was a bit shocked that the french can do nothing because the age of consent is 15 there and she went of her free will, I hope she comes to her senses and comes back ,

edam · 28/09/2012 10:28

Indeed, the effects of a false allegation can be devastating. But anonymity puts children at risk - it's all very well to say it can be lifted if necessary, like in this case, but that just adds further delay. It is vital that the protection of children is the first priority. (My BIL is a teacher who suffered a false complaint - not sexual, fortunately, so I do sympathise with teachers. But children come first.)

squeakytoy · 28/09/2012 10:33

Europe is a rather large area of land, and they could easily be in any part of it by now, and if it is not being heavily publicised in the european media, nobody is really going to be looking out for them, and they could easily blend in with the other millions of people who live there.

If this was say a French or Spanish girl who had gone missing in the UK, unless it was in the UK media, would anyone really know anything about it? Does anyone here regularly read other european news? I doubt many do.

squeakytoy · 28/09/2012 10:39

I also just looked on the busiest french news site... it is way down the list of news, and there are 9 comments on the article.. the first one says "let them be".. so basically, nobody in Europe is really that interested in it..

Mrsjay · 28/09/2012 10:41

So if it isn't big news in europe would UK police be able to go into Europe and get her back genuine ignorant question Confused

squeakytoy · 28/09/2012 10:59

Where would they begin? And how much would it cost? I cant see that really happening as it isnt like a small child going missing.

Mrsjay · 28/09/2012 11:04

Where would they begin? And how much would it cost? I cant see that really happening as it isnt like a small child going missing.

you are right I think they will probably just rely on her going home after realising it isn't as romantic as she thought but he could turn nasty to her Sad

cuillereasoupe · 28/09/2012 11:06

Age of consent is 15 in France UNLESS one of the pair is in a position of authority over the other, like a teacher, so this would be just as illegal in France as it is in the UK.

It's true it's not been widely reported here, because (dare I say it) there isn't the same Daily Mail culture of prurience in the press.

SayersIsBetterThanGreggs · 28/09/2012 13:00

They've been found.

edam · 28/09/2012 13:01

Thank heavens for that!

Tiredmumno1 · 28/09/2012 13:03

thank goodness she is safe

LadyBeagleEyes · 28/09/2012 13:04

He's been arrested and charged.
I hope the press leave her in peace for a while, her head must be all over the place at the moment.

AGoldenOrange · 28/09/2012 13:04

Great news!

Original poster
shesariver · 28/09/2012 13:11

Just heard this on the news, the families will both be so relieved now. Of course for Megan her difficulties are far from over but at least she will be with her family.

OP posts:
Marne · 28/09/2012 13:11

Great news for the family, i do feel sorry for the girl though and she will need a lot of support, she's going to be devistated that the man she loves (or think she loves) has been arrested, also i expect the media will be all over her Sad

TunaPastaBake · 28/09/2012 13:13

Thank goodness , so relieved for the families and Megan.

Mrsjay · 28/09/2012 13:13

thats is great news I do hope the girl gets supported in this as marne said she was in love and now he has been arrested and then all her school friends are going to be on at her it is just such a mess glad he has been arrested though

flippinada · 28/09/2012 13:13

Great news. Thank goodness she's safe.

SkippyYourFriendEverTrue · 28/09/2012 13:13

I wonder if he can be tried without her compliance.

meditrina · 28/09/2012 13:16

FOUND, thank goodness.

Increasing media awareness seems to have paid off. She is being looked after (nfd, Embassy?); he has been arrested.

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