Please tell me what you think about this letter sent home by DCs school

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Sent to all parents at DCs secondary school:
'Dear Parent/ Guardian/ Carer
As part of our continuing work with schools and other partners, aimed at helping safeguard young people, we would like to take this opportunity to remind you that your children can be at risk whenever they attend parties where alcohol is freely available. Some people with a sexual predatory nature can seek to take advantage whenever they find youngsters who are at all vulnerable in those circumstances. We urge you to remind your children to take reasonable steps and use common sense to keep themselves and their friends safe; and encourage them to talk to you.

This isn't an issue for any one community or area. It can affect all young people, and with summer approaching, and celebrations at the end of the exam period, children are ever keener to get out and about. we thought it would be useful to remind you of some potential risks they could face, alongside the many obvious positive activities and opportunities available to them.
Sincerely

(signed) Chief Inspector X Headteacher Y
'
So, sensible warning, or outrageous victim blaming?

If you think it skirts around the issue than use it as a starting point to discuss what you want to bring in.

As the mother of sons I would say it applies just as much to boys as girls.

"letter referred to "people with a sexual predatory nature" - which is a huge difference. In no way can you infer that "people" means "strangers" - that is perverse and illogical"

OK - so did you read "Some people with a sexual predatory nature can seek to take advantage whenever they find youngsters who are at all vulnerable in those circumstances" and think that it's referring to other drunk teenagers?

I took it to mean some people with a sexual predatory nature. Strangers, people you know, friends of friends... you know, people.

Hak

Do you think the term "people with a sexual predatory nature" means strange men who are after teenage girls therefore only teenage girls should heed the advice to stay safe?

I'll be honest, I think that is what you are getting at and this the problem you have with the letter. You think it's a warning to teenage girls about getting drunk and strangers taking advantage of them. You don't think the same emphasis is being put on teenage boys staying safe.

Please correct me if I'm wrong.

If GetMe is correct then it's Hak's personal prejudice that's making the letter seem unreasonable

I should have said - I agree that the letter should have put emphasis on sexual assault being a concern for teenage boys and girls. Not to share the burden of staying safe evenly between the sexes for PC reasons but because boys and girls are both at risk from people of a sexual predatory nature.

I think the concern for all varieties of youngsters and children is expressed perfectly well by using the terms youngsters and children.

Saying boys and girls would sound as if they originally were just addressing risks to girls, and then edited.

At least they have sent a letter- as a parent you can add whatever you want in discussion.

I think it's great as a conversation starter.

Good for the school and the police for doing this.

"Hak everyone knows what you think. But most simpley don't agree."

I agree with every one of Hak's posts.

I have a DS, I talk to him about sexual predators. I have no idea what you're getting at Hak, and it seems you're not too sure yourself or you would say.

Yes seneca as you pointed out I said most not all. If I thought everyone disagreed...i would have said but none of us agree

As the parent of two sixth forms girls, I think it is a very good letter. I would certainly use it at home to start a discussion into alcohol and how vulnerable it can leave you. After a few drinks, you can think you are invincible. I know of 2 girls that have had their drinks spiked recently - 1 ended up being taken to hospital. The letter may not cover everything that you would want it to, but anything at all that helps reinforce any of the advice or warnings surrounding alcohol (and other drugs) helps.

I also agree with Hak

I read it an immediately thought CSE related actually.

"I have a DS, I talk to him about sexual predators. I have no idea what you're getting at Hak, and it seems you're not too sure yourself or you would say."

Not sure I could have expressed my point of view much more clearly than my post of yesterday at 18.00.03. But if you tell me which bits you don't understand then I'll try and explain.

fanjo fantastic.....most still applies though. Especially since I posted it almost a day ago.

eh?

Ah - sorry.

I was responding to SenecaFalls.

"Not sure if Hakluyt is in the mood for an argument or just enjoys winding people up"

you mean that because someone has a different opinion and a reasoned response to questions on why she thinks like she does then it must mean she just likes arguing and winding people up?

fanjo it seems is my mistake. Sorry about that.

"Not sure if Hakluyt is in the mood for an argument or just enjoys winding people up"

Or conceivably just doesn't agree with you?