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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU or is this a MAJOR safeguarding issue?

744 replies

Whatthefudgeisthis · 08/03/2019 03:40

NC for this,

I’ve been absolutely stunned at the ignorance shown by the organisers with this one! A naturist night at the water park 😱 this place is designed for kids entertainment, it’s basically loads of water slides a wave pool and play area etc
Who in their right mind would take a child to such an event. Obviously I’m not shooting down naturists, each to their own, but this is an event that ANYONE can attend. Known paedophiles have attended these events, with one saying that he can’t even swim. What the actual fuck is going on? Who thought this one up?
If adults want to swim naked that’s their call, but why open the event to children too?

I’m pretty sure I’m not the one missing the blindingly obvious here, but I’m so amazed at the stupidity I had to share and maybe raise some awareness.

www.stokesentinel.co.uk/whats-on/family-nude-swimming-session-coming-2589946

These events are being held across the country, so there’s possibly one near you.

OP posts:
Meandmetoo · 08/03/2019 14:09

"Why do you believe that children cannot consent? I think it would be pretty obvious if there was a child at a naturist event that didn't want to be there"

I can't work out if you're being staggeringly naive or just ignorant of the dynamics of how children can behave when being made to do something that makes them uncomfortable, not just something they don't want to do so dig their heels in, actually uncomfortable.

Huskylover1 · 08/03/2019 14:11

Obviously the parents will be keeping an eye on their children, as they would if they were in swimsuits

Don't know about you, but the thought of my Dad keeping an eye on my naked body, would have given me the creeps after about the age of 7.

Gingerkittykat · 08/03/2019 14:12

They have arranged a protest at an event in Glasgow this weekend.

From what I've read the naturists have strict safeguarding in place, a random stranger can't turn up as they take photocopies of documents like a passport or driving license before admitting to events.

The main concern I have is that they have CCTV in all swimming pools, which is obviously a safeguarding issue.

Apparently the kids only have to swim naked if they are comfortable, if not then they are free to wear a swimsuit or clothes at events. I do worry about older kids feeling embarrassed about seeing naked adults and potentially feeling uncomfortable.

Naturist events involving kids have happened for years, this is not a new thing. I think we do have screwed up feelings about nakedness in this country.

I have always thought a normal swimming pool is a way for paedophiles to catch a look at kids wearing next to nothing. For example they have an under 18 event at my pool. I tried to spectate when my DD and DN went the first time aged around 9 to see how they were behaving but was treated like a potential offender and asked to leave the viewing area. Adults were still allowed in the pool though, whether they were with kids or not.

FissionChip5 · 08/03/2019 14:12

Children don't have to be naked at a naturist event! They can choose to wear whatever they want, whether that be a swimsuit or nothing at all. Bodily autonomy is extremely important in Naturist society

Are the children of naturists somehow impervious to parental pressure? To parents who don’t care about their child’s feelings?

Meandmetoo · 08/03/2019 14:15

And, again, it's not necessarily about children being safe because adults are around. It's about the bigger picture, the insidious creeping in of normalising strangers naked adult bodies around small children outside the normal family context so their boundaries and their 'gut feelings' about uncle Brian getting his kit off inappropriately are eroded to the point they don't think it's unusual. If people can't see that's an unacceptable by-product of these events and children being involved then as I say, frankly that's concerning imo.

RockyFlintstone · 08/03/2019 14:15

"Why do you believe that children cannot consent? I think it would be pretty obvious if there was a child at a naturist event that didn't want to be there"

Do you really think that? Well then you don't know anything about safeguarding then.

SinkGirl · 08/03/2019 14:18

I personally think it’s wonderful to normalise seeing adults and children naked. There is nothing wrong with bodies. They belong solely to the owner.

No, it isn’t. Children should know that random adults should not be naked in their presence - making that seem normal is leaving your child open to abuse in other environments. I am not saying that everyone who attends this event is an abuser, by a long stretch. I’m saying that children who find it normal to be surrounded by naked adult strangers are at greater risk of abuse and of not telling parents if an adult gets naked around them in another setting.

Why would you risk this? I simply do not understand why anyone would think it’s a good idea to take their children to this. I can clearly see the risks - someone please explain the benefits!

RockyFlintstone · 08/03/2019 14:18

Children don't have to be naked at a naturist event! They can choose to wear whatever they want, whether that be a swimsuit or nothing at all.

'Choice' where children are concerned is a complex issue though isn't it?

Meandmetoo · 08/03/2019 14:20

"From what I've read the naturists have strict safeguarding in place, a random stranger can't turn up as they take photocopies of documents like a passport or driving license before admitting to events. "

That's not strict safeguarding Grin most people in uk are eligible for a driving licence or passport, even criminals or people with ill intentions. And they are open to the public, so yes, absolutely a random can turn up.

RockyFlintstone · 08/03/2019 14:21

Good post SinkGirl.

It's why the NSPCC pushes the 'what's in your pants is private' message to children. Because if children don't know/think that, then they are open to abuse from other places.

Comefromaway · 08/03/2019 14:21

It means people are traceable. They can't enter under a false name.

Whatisthisfuckery · 08/03/2019 14:22

An open to all, completely naked event in a kiddies water park. Not disturbingly sinister at all. Will there be sweets and puppies?

Meandmetoo · 08/03/2019 14:24

Oh phew! Thank goodness people who would attend these events for dodgy reasons would own up afterwards so they can be traced. I was thinking they would just be able to leave the event but it's reassuring to know that every single one of them would be caught or have a giant green arrow with "weirdo" pointing at them.

Problem solved.

Missingstreetlife · 08/03/2019 14:24

Shut up ffs. Have none of you ever seen a documentary with people living in a forest wearing next to nothing. Are all the children at risk? No
However we can have pre pubescent children twerking and having boyfriends at nursery and any number of sexual and violent images everyday. Do grow up

eyeswideshit · 08/03/2019 14:25

I’m saying that children who find it normal to be surrounded by naked adult strangers are at greater risk of abuse and of not telling parents if an adult gets naked around them in another setting.

Evidence please. I would think the opposite true.

RomanyQueen1 · 08/03/2019 14:25

So if you don't want to go, then don't. It's not rocket science.

Comefromaway · 08/03/2019 14:25

Many of the rides are not suitable for children (again I note your use of the word kiddies, a word with "kiddy fiddling" connotations. The park has several white knuckle rapids rides suitale for strong swimmers only

wafflyversatile · 08/03/2019 14:26

But it's madness to say that something can't be because someone somewhere could try to take advantage of that situation. Should we ban women from drinking in the presence of men because rapists exist and might use this vulnerability to their advantage? Should motorcycle helmets be banned because some armed robbers have used them to obscure their faces during robberies? Perhaps we should ban parents because some of them are abusive.

I'm sure naturist organisations have heard of paedophilia and child abuse and have processes in place to protect children. Naturism is not against the law. It's perfectly acceptable, if not very common in this country. If it's not your cup of tea, fine, don't do it but naturism doesn't cause child sexual abuse and there is no reason to think that a child at a naturist event is at more risk than in other situations.

Meandmetoo · 08/03/2019 14:26

And, also, why this not at all and completely farcical strict safeguarding if there are no concerns at all?

SinkGirl · 08/03/2019 14:26

Yes, you can definitely compare British society to growing up naked in a forest in a small community where everyone knows everyone, where there’s no porn, where children are with a parent most of the time, where children have no access to the internet and aren’t exposed to everything you’ve mentioned.

Just the same. 🙄

Comefromaway · 08/03/2019 14:27

There is safeguarding at all events involving children. Even the local carnival in the park has a safeguarding officer.

Safeguarding is about minimising risks and being aware of potential risks. its not about pearl clutching or branding all men paedophiles.

SinkGirl · 08/03/2019 14:27

waffly children for whom adult nudity is normalised are absolutely more at risk of abuse, as I explained above.

wafflyversatile · 08/03/2019 14:28

Most abuse goes on behind closed doors. Perhaps we should ban doors.

Meandmetoo · 08/03/2019 14:31

"There is safeguarding at all events involving children. Even the local carnival in the park has a safeguarding officer."

Yep, your point? If you have one that is.

"Safeguarding is about minimising risks and being aware of potential risks. its not about pearl clutching or branding all men paedophiles."

I think most people know what safeguarding means (some clearly don't understand theres more to it other than the immediate risk but whatever). And no one has said all men are paedophiles, so again, your point?

wafflyversatile · 08/03/2019 14:32

Perhaps you have some evidence you can link to. @sinkgirl