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AIBU?

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Original poster

To feel we should have the right to know where sex offenders live

204 replies

midwifeandmum · 06/04/2014 21:28

Im watching Louis Theroux program and over in the USA they have an app to search for sex offenders in their area.

Why do the UK not follow their lead!! Very scary especially if you have children Angry

I have a sex offender in my street and didnt find out he had been charged with sex offences for 2 years.

This man lives over 2 hedges from me and walks about the street thinking he owns it. Has a real bad attitude. grrr makes my blood boil

OP posts:
Joules68 · 06/04/2014 21:30

Don't be ridiculous!! An app??

Vigilantes would have a field day

ChelworthBrond · 06/04/2014 21:31

What if they've reformed?

Normalisavariantofcrazy · 06/04/2014 21:33

Trust me you don't want to know.

I had access to that kind of information in a previous job and it is really really unsettling because you will find there are sex offenders in pretty much every community.

WorraLiberty · 06/04/2014 21:33

Why would you need to know?

Surely you take the same precautions and as everyone else and teach your children about strangers etc?

devoniandarling · 06/04/2014 21:34

No I don't think this is a good idea at all.

What difference would it make if you knew? They have to live somewhere.

gordyslovesheep · 06/04/2014 21:36

what Worra said

also how would you protect your kids from sex offenders without convictions?

Aeth1992 · 06/04/2014 21:36

No.

Its up there with prohibitions and gun laws in the US.

Awful.

PlentyOfPubeGardens · 06/04/2014 21:36

'walks about the street', eh? Hmm

What are you doing differently now you know?

BTW, charged or convicted?

Bowlersarm · 06/04/2014 21:37

Really, really not a good idea, IMO.

AlexReidsLonelyBraincell · 06/04/2014 21:37

That would be nice, the predictable cases of mistaken identity, or even not. Vigilantes deciding to go and "sort them out".

I'd rather the relevant authorities knew, and kept them on a tight leash.

TattyDevine · 06/04/2014 21:38

There is actually a database of convicted sex offenders in the UK and you can search by area. Its only ones that are convicted however, so you may still have one close by who has never got caught. I'll see if I can find the link.

Tweasels · 06/04/2014 21:38

Think about it OP, seriously.

fluffyraggies · 06/04/2014 21:38

I can sympathise with this knee jerk reaction OP, but as i understand it in the case of convicted peadophiles the public knowing their whereabouts would drive them to hide once released, and fall from the police 'radar'.

I suppose the same could be true of sex offenders.

ginmakesitallok · 06/04/2014 21:38

No I don't agree, what difference would it make to your safety?

RachelWatts · 06/04/2014 21:39

No. I would much rather that sex offenders were known to the authorities and reported in to their parole officer or whoever, than them feeling they have to go into hiding to protect themselves from vigilantes.

Morgause · 06/04/2014 21:39

Children are more in danger from family members and friends than from strangers.

lilsupersparks · 06/04/2014 21:39

You're watching that show and you think it's a GOOD idea?!

I can't believe some of the sad stories on it - I don't know the answer but the attitude shown on this show definitely doesn't seem right to me.

EhricLovesTheBhrothers · 06/04/2014 21:39

What's the point? You need to keep your children safe and teach them protective behaviours.

TattyDevine · 06/04/2014 21:39

This reply has been deleted

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Custardo · 06/04/2014 21:39

what purpose would it serve?

JaquelineHyde · 06/04/2014 21:40

Yes but the app would only tell you about sex offenders that had been convicted.

It really would be a pointless, yet incredibly dangerous piece of knowledge to have.

SmiteYouWithThunderbolts · 06/04/2014 21:41

AWFUL idea. Do you really think that people en masse can be trusted with that sort of information? We would have pitchforks and baying mobs out every night.

Sex offenders have to live SOMEWHERE. They have to be living a lifestyle that enables the police to keep an eye on them as per the terms of ther parole or what-have-you. Driving them underground makes them infinitely more dangerous.

MojitoMadness · 06/04/2014 21:42

ChelworthBrond Reformed! You're having a fucking laugh aren't you? Shock

RiojaHaze · 06/04/2014 21:43

It seems to me that the point of the show is to point out that America has it wrong?

My DM was a childminder when I was growing up and she was told off the record by a social worker friend that our neighbours new boyfriend had been convicted of sexual crimes against children. I think in this case, DM had a right to know but as she was a register childminder, surely he should not have been allowed to live next door?

My point is, it should be up to the authorities to know and regulate it, not the public so YABU.

FreudiansSlipper · 06/04/2014 21:43

are you watching the same programme as I am and you still think this is a good idea Hmm

there is no need what purpose would it serve far more abuse is by family members or close family friends

and I really dislike how these groups are apparently fighting for the rights of victims