Sarah Payne

[Smellbellina]

Is anyone watching this? I came on here thinking there would already be a thread?
Sarah's Law was born out of her death, it does seem as though that law isn't fully utilised.

www.nspcc.org.uk/services-and-resources/research-and-resources/factsheet-and-briefings/child-sex-offender-disclosure-scheme/

Mainly because people forget that for somebody to have a slight against them, a child has to have been harmed in some way and made a complaint and been proven to be correct. In other words, some of the most prolific sexual predators out there would not appear to have anything the police could point to. As such, it lulls people into a false sense of security and can actually lead to further harm.

Hopefully you are a lone voice growing
It would protect more, if more knew what it was and how to use it and didn't feel some kind of shame for doing so

Well, there is no harm in agreeing to disagree

Not true. Yes it shouldn't lull you into a false sense of security, but equally the police will share any info they feel is pertinent to the care giver/s.
General acceptance that these kind of applications will be made as standard is something that should be aspired to.

On this occasion growing I think there is harm in agreeing to disagree.

So what do you want? Me to agree with you? Because I'm afraid I don't. I understand your point, but I'm afraid I don't feel this law is helpful or effective in keeping children safe. So since I'm going to be asleep soon, we might as well agree we have different viewpoints on this and that's just life, isn't it, we won't agree on everything all the time.

I'm in awe of her strength

What I want is for people not to be put off of making perfectly sensible, reasonable and lawful applications because someone such as you thinks that they shouldn't.
In my experience the most vulnerable are already under enough pressure not to keep themselves and loved ones safe from harm, an anonymous voice on the internet can be the nail in the coffin.
Good night.

There is a flaw in Sarah's Law in that you are not allowed the information regarding whether or not someone you have concerns about may be a peadophile. You can find out if you have a child who may be at risk but it is not straightforward. A social worker and police need to be involved and only if they consider that in their opinion the child is a danger will they let you have relevant information. I had reason to enquire re a property I rent out and was denied information.

is in danger

Peadophiles seen to be quite well protected viz a viz their rights etc far more than other criminals.

smell, growing wasn't suggesting people shouldn't use the law if they felt compelled too, they were saying that they personally think the law is flawed and may give a false impression of safety. I am inclined to agree.

I agree with growing too.

To the people disagreeing, are you saying it is the same sort of flaw as with the DBS system? Whereby something is only highlighted if the person has been 'caught'?

No it is one of those laws whereby you think you may have reason to access information but in reality it is very difficult to obtain information.

It doesn't actually protect children from peadophiles. For example you may have been told your neighbour has convictions for indecency. You yourself may have witnessed him exposing himself but unless police agree he is a threat to your child, not any child, you will not be given any information. So you may not have a child living with you but grandchildren may visit. It may not meet criteria whereby you will be told.

I think all of the Payne family show incredible strength and dignity both at the time and in the programme.

I have so much admiration for Sara Payne. She just seems to strong. I am not sure Sarah's Law would have saved Sarah herself but perhaps it will be helpful in other situations. The saddest thing about what happened to Sarah Payne is that it couldn't have been prevented - she was so unlucky.