To expect reassurance this man has not been near our DC?

[FreeFolk]

DC are in a local scout group. There is a Facebook group for parents, for checking times, places, lost property and so on.

Last night a scout parent posted a link to a local newspaper article about a scout leader in another local group being found guilty and sentenced for making and possessing images/films of children. They asked had this man been around our DC? There were quickly several other comments of outrage and concern. We did recognise the photo and have seen him at parades, competitions and camps.

There was one reply from a leader. Saying there should not be a witch hunt and for the group leader to decide if this post should stay on the page. It was shortly after deleted.

AIBU to think an email should have been sent to address this?

Ah crap Bishop does that mean I need to pull DD from Rainbows??! That's all women too. FFS 🙄

@mustbemad17 you better had, they all do it those peedows

Dull sounds like you've met some pretty pervy fuckers. Still doesn't mean you can tar all Scout leaders (or teachers) with the same brush!!

@Summerberriesatdawn lol, all a ‘background check’ means is you have not yet been caught. They don’t really mean that much. But yes they will all have had a crb/dbs etc. Of course from now on he won’t be ever allowed to work with children again!

they are all out there mustbe, that is my point. Probably not in Rainbows though.

As for OP I'd suggest you avoid social media altogether with the attendant hysterics that brings and as previously stated contact the GSL and possibly area leader preferably in writing to ask hat concerns be addressed with parents.

But you could lend that theory to any area. PE teachers supervising changing rooms...shit they must be getting off on it. In fact, anyone who works with kids!!!
I was a care worker, I have shopped a colleague for verbal abuse of a client. I would absolutely hate that somebody would think i only did my job so i could abuse vulnerable people based on a small number of people outed for doing so

The usual hysteria by ill-informed people. Remember that your children are at the most risk from sexual assault from a family member.

Usually those making the biggest fuss are those most likely to either see and refuse to admit it or be too blinded by stereotypes to see anything that might be going on much closer to home.

Witch hunts just make people feel virtuous - and safe from demons.

@DullAndOld as a scout leader I take serious exception to your comments on both my behalf, my DSs behalf and all the other wonderful male leaders in our scout group.

Dull and old Why would you continue the conversation of two hours?

And being kinky in your own private sex life doesn't make you a paedophile.

OP, Can you clarify if this is a previous conviction or current and is currently in prison?

DullAndOld Must be something about you attracting all the pervs

He's been sentenced. So no trial to prejudice.

I find that response astonishing.

I would not engage with the leaders at all but would be contacting as high above their heads as possible making it crystal clear that I (and if you could make it a group of parents that would be even better) was rightly concerned that this man had had access to my children, that in the wake of his sentencing I would expect as detailed a response as possible on what they knew of his activities, locations, type of access he had had, etc. And if that wasn't forthcoming, with these legitimate concerns being dealt with fully, honestly and supportively, then I'd be happy to make as public a complaint as possible about their attitude and to take it as far as I could.

Jesus that is awful!

I am not stupid and I know the correct spelling of 'pedophile' (US) thank you BishopBrennan'sArse.
Look, strange people ARE attracted to looking after children especially when they are away from their parents. It's a fact, illustrated by this thread)

To try and make me sound thick or paranoid to point this out is just naïve.

Yes I KNOW that children are most at risk from family members. However I would put scout leaders pretty high up the list as well.

He's not been convicted of a contact offence. Presumably there is no suggestion that the children in the images are known to him, or that he has obtained the images via his involvement with scouting.

I think it was quite right the post was deleted. He will now be on the sex offenders register and will not be able to continue with Scouts or any other organisation. The police will have investigated and if there was any suggestion contact offences were committed they would have looked into this. Your children are unlikely to be, or have been, at risk

For reference, offences like this are much more common than you might think (I think about 1 in 50/100 was a stat I heard previously) therefore it's quite possible that a neighbour, colleague or family member has done similar and you would be completely unaware.

The best thing you can do for your DC is to encourage body autonomy, and that they should not accept any physical contact they don't want. And to always tell you if something or someone makes them feel uncomfortable.

I know the correct spelling of 'pedophile' (US) thank you

LOL!

I'm sure I read that if children had been in contact with somebody known to be an abuser parents were told.
If your child had been at risk from this person at the time or not.

I could be wrong

why is that 'LOL'? that is the correct US spelling (eg international..)
fgs I make a living from correcting crap English, I think I know how to spell.

Case 1, local gang show when I must have been about 10/11 (at this age still a girl guide) Had to wear a Dorothy costume for an over the rainbow sketch. Male scout leader belong out with wardrobe insisted on dressing and undressing me each time. NO ONE else in the room did anything to stop him.
Case 2, when I was 14 and then actually a girl scout, summer camps were a free for all. One of my fellow girl scouts was an attention seeking young lady. Actively wriggled herself into male adult leaders lap on more than one occasion and he took the opportunity for a good grope each time. NO ONE ELSE DID ANYTHING TO STOP IT.
Case 3, county gang show waiting to go on stage. Two adult male scout leaders kept flashing me their comedy jock straps and asked me if I had 'ever ridden a pony' other leaders male and female laughed at my discomfort.
Case 4. County gang show camp, male scout leader sleeps with fellow female gang show member several times aged 14. He is convicted and jailed a couple of years later for sex with a minor.
Case 5. aged 16 i worked in a local university halls of residence. warden of the halls was a Scout leader. he regularly had 'his boys' come and visit him there. Following one of them reporting him he was tried and jailed for two years for what they found on his computer.

5 cases (that i remember) of innapropriate conduct in my 6 years within the scouting association.

there is no fucking way I am risking my DC being subjected to that..

It's easy to find the case the OP is referring to.

I find it interesting that it was the Scout Association who actually raised the concerns originally, through their very thorough safe-guarding policy.

And he hasn't been convicted of a contact-offence.

I would imagine a thorough investigation of his scouting-related activities has already taken place. Contact the safe-guarding lead, they will be able to advise you and put your mind at rest.

But the chances are that, as your dd recognises the guy, he has "had access" to the children in your group. He should never have been alone with any child and there will have been other adults around but paedophiles don't tend to stick to the rules.

Not sure what you're wanting from the leaders other than a list of dates when the groups have done things together and he's been present. They are not going to be able to tell you if he abused your child, which understandably is what's worrying you.

5 cases in 6 six years...out of how many units over the same timescale?

Seriously, if you're going to stereotype you will never be able to leave your DC with anybody. Police officers for example - they get done for sex crimes too!!

Us spelling is absolutely not international! Parents need to be proactive in teaching their children body autonomy not just about the physical but online and photographic as well. The nspcc campaign is a good starting point. If you have sent your child off with a adult that isn’t you then you should have had these conversations about what is and isn’t acceptable behaviour before hand.

Agreed with Screaming. The pants song is perfect for smaller kids it is far too catchy tho be warned

Book newspaper reported him as being arrested last August and sentenced this week

www.hertfordshiremercury.co.uk/news/hertfordshire-news/scout-leader-dressed-woman-trick-1195021

Jeez DH and I must be creepy pedos given that we have given hours and hours of our time volunteering with children
I think it’s you Old
Fuckwit