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Original poster

Anyone wish to comment on wisdom of notifying community of paedophile's addresses?

49 replies

DeepPannCrispandEven · 12/12/2006 22:57

May I commence?

Understandable reaction to 'know' the source of 'danger', but this measure is misguided, ill-conceived and entirely misses the point about protecting vulnerable children......

OP posts:

VeniVidiVickiQV · 13/12/2006 20:21

Well, I think its safe to say that we all have a paedophile or abuser within a 5 mile radius. Sometimes, there are even in our own homes...

Its a costly and pointless exercise.

As long as convicted abusers are kept tabs on and dealt with appropriately by the appropriate agencies, and that we, as parents, ensure as best we can, the safety of our children, and also educate our children, then that is the very best anyone can do.

Original poster

DeepPannCrispandEven · 13/12/2006 20:22

Well, the truth will be that if you do live in a largish town at least, there will be someone within a 5 mile radius who has been convicted...

and...

knowing this information, how would you change your sensible child-caring practice to what you are currently doing? I would suggest that those measures wouldn't change one iota...

reminds me a little of the AIDS/hepatitis harm prevention of the 1980's..the prevalence of AIDS ushered in "new" safeguards..when actually they were the same sensible things one would do to avoid hep C.

I did post this thread in good faith, to invite any good reason as to why "communities" should know of convicted paedophile's whereabouts, over-and-above the statutory and voluntary sector bodies charged with using this knowledge for supervision purposes.

OP posts:

Original poster

DeepPannCrispandEven · 13/12/2006 20:23

CROSS-POST SNAP!!!!

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VeniVidiVickiQV · 13/12/2006 20:31

...

doyouwantfrankincensewiththat · 13/12/2006 20:43

ah the mob mentality - wonder what would get me stirred up enough to join a mob.

what would you do if your child said/implied that a friend/relative was behaving inappropriately?

LittleSarah · 13/12/2006 20:47

It is not wise.

LittleSarah · 13/12/2006 20:48

It is stooopid.

smittenkitten · 13/12/2006 20:48

i am really torn on this. the rational side of me agrees that is encourages mob mentality and drives danagerous people underground; HOWEVER if a paedophile moved into my street i would want to know about it and it would absolutely impact what i did with my DS.

CountTo10LordsaLeaping · 13/12/2006 21:00

It is a difficult one. I hate the idea of a paedophile living next door even though I know the rational that there probably is one near us and I think that I would want to know but at the same time I know the dangers of letting everyone know. Its not that I'm bothered about the effect on that indivdual, I couldn't care less, but I worry that it would drive them underground and that is the bigger danger to me. I think there should be more focus on how we deal with these people when they are found and the current justice system etc which I think is far from where it should be with dealing with these people, rather than on knowing the specifics of where they are. I know that in certain circumstance resources are put into following them etc and I think if they are considered that much of a risk, why are they allowed back into the community? I also agree with the fact that whether you name them or not, your child could still be at risk from someone who is not known to anyone or a family member so what can we hope to gain from simply knowing the specifics of someone in our areas?

VeniVidiVickiQV · 13/12/2006 21:06

I'd get to the bottom of it.

I have have no compunction in discussing something or bringing up an issue of concern with a friend/relative if it procures the safety of my child.

Their short term shock and offence is much further down on my list, unlike ensuring the safety and wellbeing of my child.

doyouwantfrankincensewiththat · 13/12/2006 21:10

yep.

tortoiseBells · 13/12/2006 21:16

I don't like mob/vigilante style behaviour.

But if someone moved into my street, and harmed my child, and I found out he was a KNOWN paedophile/murderer (and this man did kill a 14 year old boy after a homosexual gang rape) - I don't know what I would do.

Surely it is just not appropriate for a paedophile to be released into a community like this. Isn't it like taking an alcoholic and housing him in a pub, or a heroin addict in a pharmacy? There must be some better solution. I WOULD want to know if there was one in my street, though I don't know what I would do about it!

Original poster

DeepPannCrispandEven · 13/12/2006 21:19

I know also it is of crucial importance to believe everything they say...lots of reasons, but in the longer term it will be much much easier to deal with a child who has 'lied' or 'embroidered' for their own reasons, rather than trying to rebuild a relationship wit hthem after you have trounced their trust.

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doyouwantfrankincensewiththat · 13/12/2006 21:23

After Sarah Payne was abducted an idea was mooted to have a nationwide alert system as soon as a child was reported missing/suspected abducted that would include TV & radio broadcast,

looks like it went tits up in 2003

I think that would be worthwhile

doyouwantfrankincensewiththat · 13/12/2006 21:25

NB it's further down the page than Cod's recovery plan ...

RanToTheHills · 13/12/2006 21:26

well, watch out paediatricians, again!

Spidermama · 13/12/2006 21:36

It's tricky this. I used to believe abusers should be given the chance to rehabilitate and supported within the community. After all, there's a good chance that they're like this because they were abused as children. What a journey! From innocent victim of sick abuse, pitied by society, to abuser, loathed and feared by society.

However, I now know more about paedophiles and the disturbing fact is that they can't help themselves. They WILL keep looking for victims. The urge is overwhelming.

This is a good resource. I heard the woman who set up this website talking about her case. An old, trusted family friend who was also a teacher abused her boys for years before she found out. Horrible.

doyouwantfrankincensewiththat · 13/12/2006 21:39

interesting site spidermama

Original poster

DeepPannCrispandEven · 13/12/2006 21:42

ooh spiderama!

I do read this as a 'blanket' assessment of ALL people convicted of offences against children and this is not the case i.e. they will always want to do it, and they can't help themselves.

An understanding of their own motives, the imact of their own sexual histories, a grasp of victim awareness/impact, cognitive-behavioural work ( dealing with their own 'dodgy' thoughts), sex education, having the confidence to ask for help..all of these things are potent in us as a society creating fewer child victims.

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Original poster

DeepPannCrispandEven · 13/12/2006 21:45

Yes, the StopITNow org. started in Vermont, U.S., and reported a hugh upsurge in a 'public acceptance' of the risks to children, and their "helpline" for men who suspected themselves of wishing to abuse was very heavily used.

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bauble99 · 13/12/2006 21:52

I think it would be more helpful for the police, and the ministers who control their budgets, to make sure that they have the resources to (quietly) notify the single parent families that paedophiles tend to prey on.

Original poster

DeepPannCrispandEven · 13/12/2006 22:00

See your point bauble, but how would one do it in practice i.e. "quietly"? One can be pretty sure it wouldn't remain 'quiet' for very long!!!

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zookeeper · 13/12/2006 22:13

to go back to the original post, is it all paedophiles, from child rapists to people who have, say, downloaded porn involving teenage girls.?
The reason I wonder is that presumably the children of the former are taken from them whereas there may be offenders who have their children with them still - I wouldn't want the children to be at risk from vigilante groups.

Original poster

DeepPannCrispandEven · 13/12/2006 22:50

Part of the prob., zookeeper isn't it? At what stage/event would it be deemed appropriate to 'inform' local community.

When I do see vigilantes on t.v. and there are children in the group I do think of what the effect all of this expression of group 'anger' has on them. Also feel a little when angry men are at the fore-front....

Do wonder also how the newspaper obtain the addresses and details of offenders. Would quiet like to see 'investigation' into such circs.

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