Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Not interested in arguing with you very PC types, just saying......

226 replies

cosima · 28/06/2008 19:44

I went to a school fete today, there were two men there that I felt could have been paedophiles. NOW, of course this thread could go in to a laborious discussion about How did I know? / How could I be so judgemental? How dare I? What a terrible world when people are so narrow minded! etc etc, but actually the only action I am taking is to say to a mums website

Please remember that school fetes are open to the public, parents feel very safe in the environment, Paedophiles go to school fetes on saturday afternoons, and PLEASE KEEP YOUR CHILDREN SAFE AND IN VIEW.

OP posts:
filthymindedvixen · 28/06/2008 19:55

Rofl Blu - genius!

Piffle · 28/06/2008 19:56

at aged 13 my friend and I went unchaperoned to a David Bowie gig (1983) mum said sit in stands so we did.
next to man with dope, rum and hidden pen camera. He of course shared his smoke and rum ( we declined)
we had a really good time.
he watched out for us....
I am not quick to think the worst of people.

random · 28/06/2008 19:56

lol @ blu

CrushWithEyeliner · 28/06/2008 19:57

Give the op a break she was just imparting some info and trying to be helpful. She didn't suggest we lock anyone up. I know it sounded a bit off key but she only meant good and some people just worry more than others.

filthymindedvixen · 28/06/2008 19:57

Piffle! [Shock] Me too! (am I your friend?)
Mine was at Gateshead...very similar experience...

Mutt · 28/06/2008 19:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

filthymindedvixen · 28/06/2008 19:58

(but I didn't decline...it was blow and cider IIRC)

PeaGreene · 28/06/2008 20:00

Crush, I agree with you, but on the other hand, if cosima really saw something actually dubious (she says she won't go into details) why on earth is she only reporting it here. That's what I don't get. Otherwise we can only assume she's jumping to conclusions about people being male.

falcon · 28/06/2008 20:02

This reminds me of the old Harry Enfield black and white instructional films such as Women Know Your Place.

AuntieMaggie · 28/06/2008 20:04

I think this was just meant to be a reminder to keep an eye on your children no matter where you are.

Have you seen that advert that says most P's are in their 20's?

Always make me shudder at how many parents take their eye off their children at parks and things, not just because of the risk of other people but things like roads and other risks too.

Original poster
cosima · 28/06/2008 20:05

I didn't do anything, nothing, except feel ashamed for thinking that, for awknowledging that it is totally prejudiced, and for reminding people with children that it does happen in places where you would normally feel safe.

I knew this thread would turn out like this, I lnew I would be totally ridiculed, not really bothered. My job entails alot of working with abused children, I have personal experience of it, I'm guessing you piss takers don't and I'm pleased cos I would be taking the piss too if I didn't

OP posts:
Piffle · 28/06/2008 20:05

mine 12000 miles away

lulumama · 28/06/2008 20:05

i think keeping your children safe is generally good advice

am terribly interested what the men were doing that made you thikn they could have been peadophiles, however

filthymindedvixen · 28/06/2008 20:06

was it glass spider tour? Or are you older/younger than me?

Snaf · 28/06/2008 20:07

I think this obsessive, scaremongering mindset is so destructive. I feel sorry for anyone who spends all their time at the summer fete wondering if the bloke on the tombola is a paedophile. This attitude has damaged our society, imo.

Kbear · 28/06/2008 20:07

But cosima - most people don't need to be told to watch their children, we do it naturally when we are out in crowded places.

filthymindedvixen · 28/06/2008 20:09

oh cosima, I'm sorry if we have been insensitive and I'm sorry for your past experiences.

But IMHO, children are far more at risk from crosssing the road than from paedophiles. And isn't it a statistical fact that mosr abuse happens by someone the child knows? Not some random stranger?

lilyloo · 28/06/2008 20:10

Cosima if your job entails working with abused children then you would also know that most children are abused by people they know, not random men at a school fete.
I have also worked with abused children and am not really sure what you are trying to achieve with this thread.
If you had concerns then you would report them to the school surely as 'if' your judgement was right then how would reporting it on here be of any use ?

Lauriefairycake · 28/06/2008 20:11

I work with people that have been abused cosima

I have an abused child in my care

and I still want to take the piss slightly by asking if they had a comb-over

nickytwotimes · 28/06/2008 20:11

I was abused by a teacher. I guess he went to a few school fetes. No one noticed he was a peadophile though, did they?

You can't tell by looking, fgs!

BetteNoire · 28/06/2008 20:14

Creating an atmosphere of terror and fear for children is not the best way to protect them from those who would prey on them.

To suspect every stranger is counter-productive.

Most abusers choose to assault those within their family or circle of friends.

Lilymaid · 28/06/2008 20:16

Are you sure they weren't Paediatricians?

beansmum · 28/06/2008 20:19

Parents feel safe in the environment of a school fete because it IS pretty safe, surrounded by parents and teachers and people who know you.

hercules1 · 28/06/2008 20:19

That has to be a classic line
"Paedophiles go to school fetes on saturday afternoons"

LOL

OP - posters on this site do have some intelligence even the male ones .

eenybeeny · 28/06/2008 20:20

sorry just to second racer - why is this in AIBU? Just curious.