Pornographic post from adult

[run2run]

I have never posted before and don't want people to think I am over=reacting but I made a discovery yesterday that has left me physically ill. I was sorting through some papers my 12 year old daughter inadvertently left behind and found an envelope that had been sent to her. For some reason I looked into it. It contained a semi-pornographic set of photos my daughter had received. They were from a fairly well known TV personality. The first was what I would call a "racey" semi-nude photo of him taken for some campaign (animal welfare) group. The second was simply soft porn. He had sent three from different angles. Not hard porn but, well, he was naked.

The note accompanying said that he appreciated her interest in the campaign he was working on--and hoped she was enjoying school. So he knew her age. I've now discovered that she has these, and other photos, on her facebook account.

I am stunned. I don't think an adult, especially someone in the media, should send photos like these to a child. I called the Canadian High Commission (were Canadians) and they said I should call the police. Am I over-reacting? I haven't told my husband as he will go crazy. Should I tell the other mothers (my daughter has sent these photos around)? From their comments he has sent them photos too. I feel ill...as if my daughter is being cultivated. I just want to pack up and go home.

Wow. What did your daughter say about it?

You are 100% correct to call the police.
This in NOT acceptable.

You should definitely take them to the police - whoever has sent these pictures to your daughter (and it may or may not be the person in the picture, despite the letter) there is a need for the police to look into anyoen who sends naked pictures to children.

you should call the police. Adults should not be sending naked photographs to twelve year olds, even if the twelve year old has asked for threm!

Just wanted to let you know that I called the police. They sent over two detectives and a child protection officer. They now want to speak with my daughter as well as her school. I don't know how well this will go down with her--tonight is going to be interesting! The only thing that bothers me is when I gave the police the photos they immediately recognised the individual in them! The WPC or whatever mumbled something about "here's another one" and "being aware of the situation". How can this be? It was as if I wasn't telling them anything new. I asked her if they had had problems with this personality and she then went on about process, the law, gathering sufficient information etc. It makes you feel so powerless. When my husband gets home we are going to check the computer for other photos etc., but I must admit I am really worried about what I may find. Must try to keep things in perspective. This has really creeped me out.

were thet sent through the mail?

run2run - the police will no doubt be looking into whether this person actually sent the material, or whether someone else (eg a stalker, obsessive, troublemaker, etc) is doing it. It's relatively easy to pretend to be someone else online, and the photos are likely available online too, so the fact that they "appear" to have been sent by him doesn't mean they actually were. If they were, the police will be able to find him quite easily. If not, it may be far harder for them to deal with.

I think the important thing to do is to talk to your daughter about boundaries and internet safety - pictures of a naked man aren't the most damaging possibility if she doesn't place some limits on contact with people online. The fact she has given out her address online is worrying - you need to explain to her in no uncertain terms why she must never do this under any circumstances (unless she's buyinh from a reputable site, but then she'll need you with a card anyway).

Yes, the photos came through the mail but it also seems my daughter and her friends have searched the web and found links to other more salacious photos there. I asked the DI who visited if it was possible that they were being sent by an obsessive or troublemaker but he said that would be unusual as we have had no contact or prior association with the individual in the photos. What seems most likely is that my daughter contacted this individual and he responded. I am not suggesting that the photos were pornographic or lewd. They were however very, very suggestive and to me this is the issue and this type of stuff should never be sent to children.

Run2Run--having worked with CEOP and Social Services, the issue isn't who sent the photos but that they were sent. It is for the police to discover their source. They will also want to discover WHY they were sent.

In the off chance that they were sent by a troublemaker, obsessive etc., the issue is why YOU received then and why you received photos of this particular person. It is almost certainly not a random act.

You mention being Canadian and having contacted the Canadian High Commission. I would recommend that you stay in touch with the Canadian authorities. Get them to contact the police. Your complaint will be taken MUCH more seriously should the Canadian High Commission become involved.

If you receive any more materials, be certain to let the police and Canadian High Commission know immediately.