If you need urgent support, call 999 or go to your nearest A&E. To contact our Crisis Messenger (open 24/7) text THEMIX to 85258.
Options
I've just found myself defending a 'peadophile'
Former Member
Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
Well, apparently there is 'one' in the neighbourhood. Someone found out and has promptly printed off the articles and gone round door to door 'warning' everyone. I think it's just scary how judgmental people can be though - I do believe people make mistakes and do regret them. They're all planning some action to try and get him removed, obviously they don't mean to target his family as well (and I know one of the lads, nothing wrong with him) but they will. They even said 'well we cant do anything bad because the law protects them doesn't it' (as if, we should all be entitled to dish out our own punishment as we see fit)
He wasn't innocent, according to the article thats being handed out he downloaded a fair few images of child pornography, but he also served 8 months in prison for it. I'm not saying its not detestable, as in child pornography, but say you were the person who downloaded it... years later how can you move on when there's lynch mobs out for you.
I think the public are living in a state of perpetual paranoia, he's been living there harmlessly for years and now they've suddenly found out it's a massive panic. I won't because I'd rather not get involved in their private affairs and it may blow over, but I have half a mind to go round and warn him (and his family) that some vigilantes think they have the right to take things into their own hands.
Is there no such thing in the world as forgiveness, these days?
He wasn't innocent, according to the article thats being handed out he downloaded a fair few images of child pornography, but he also served 8 months in prison for it. I'm not saying its not detestable, as in child pornography, but say you were the person who downloaded it... years later how can you move on when there's lynch mobs out for you.
I think the public are living in a state of perpetual paranoia, he's been living there harmlessly for years and now they've suddenly found out it's a massive panic. I won't because I'd rather not get involved in their private affairs and it may blow over, but I have half a mind to go round and warn him (and his family) that some vigilantes think they have the right to take things into their own hands.
Is there no such thing in the world as forgiveness, these days?
0
Comments
And it's responses like that that result in the situation detailed above :rolleyes:
Seriously though, I find peadophilia completely sickening. But the guy's been proven guilty and he's served the appropriate sentence given to him for his crime. What is everyone expecting him to do?! Live on a secluded island?
I'm not saying the neighbourhood shouldn't be aware of his living there - esp. those families with children - but making a fuss out of it is pathetic. That's just a way of making the situation worse tbh.
Where is the line? In my eyes, the line should be that revenge has no place in our society, it should be about doing what is right, two wrongs dont make a right. And I heard that first hand from someone who was a victim of child abuse.
Would it surprise you that this man is no different from any other, in his daily life, except for the fact that several years ago he developed a penchant for child pornography over the internet? He is made of the same stuff as you and I, he should be judged based on who he is, not who he was.
To be fair, he might not regret any of it, he might be perving at the kids who walk past his house everyday - but then, couldn't anyone be doing that? I'm probably just a slave to the way I was brought up - you did something wrong, you apologised and then you got on with things and didn't keep revisiting it.
*with the atrociously low conviction rate of rapists, if it was pretty damn clear someone had raped someone but there was only 'circumstancial evidence' I'd have no qualms about running them over... but I suppose everyone has their mean streak
ppl can be just as fucked up when they generalise stuff and get on their high horses.
i found out on tuesday that i live right near a bail hostel, we've had weirdos around etc and called the police. it's scaring the shit out of me.
And although he may not have directly hurt any kids himself, by downloading kiddy porn he's encouraging it happen. I wouldn't be so quick to defend him, but then I wouldn't engage in a witch hunt either.
I have a criminal record and understand that people remember long after you've served you rpunishment given out by the courts, but then I also sympathize with parents wanting eliminate any risk to their kids, however small.
Isn't this the wrong forum for this anyway?
:yes:
I used to stay in an area that was 90% populated by Asians, and some white kid got bundled into a car, torn from limb to limb, set on fire and dumped in a park, purely because he was white.
That happened right at the end of my street, and there were times when I was scared to leave my flat incase I got attacked or something. Fuck, maybe it wasn't rational, but it's not a nice feeling when you're half scared to leave your own house or that, especially when you get dirty as fuck looks because you're the wrong colour.
Point is it's that what if?
Nobody agrees with vigilantes or any shit like that, but if you or your family don't feel safe then you can totally understand it if they have concerns.
i hope i'm not bobbing my pants for the rest of the 8 months that i'm here for. it's made me more safety conscious (i was already quite good used to lock the door during the day etc) but now i'm being all silly and paranoid.
Exactally.
If he isn't posing a threat or problem, and has been in prison and therapy, I think there shouldn't be an issue.
Obviously there is a risk, but, this is taking it to far. I'd be worried if I had kids, but I wouldn't start taking action like this. I'd just tell my children to avoid him, and if he approaches them, to run home and I'd call the police.
Or crack him one in the balls.
well we think it is. they have a curfew until 11pm and it's always been before then and they've always been walking up the road to where it is.
i think sarah paynes mum was campaigning for the law that you have in america to be applied in the uk. might be wrong though.
we weren't told about the bail hostel - i live with 8 other girls (and 5 lads). i would've thought it'd be good practice to inform us before we move in.
Yeah, there's Megan's law (I think it's Megan) in America which means people in a local neighbourhood must know they are there. Sarah Payne's mum tried to get them to pass Sarah's law here, but it was denied.
Pedophiles are the bogeyman in todays society, almost as if they've never existed before. If somebody serves their time, then why shouldnb't they be forgiven? At the end of the day there are so many self-righteous low lives who believe that in attacking a person who has been released from prison, they are becoming the next mother Theresa.
I don't know why they do it, maybe they're looking for an easy target (in the case of my friend, that seemed likely) or whatever, but if those people genuinely cared about the safety of their children and those who have been abused, they'd be volunteering for Banardos or a childrens charity rather than running a holy crusade against one man released from prison.
Just my opinion.
So has anything changed? How did you feel before Tuesday?
Yes, Megan's Law is what it's called in America.
Indeed. Just because he did what he did years ago, doesn't mean he'll do it again.
Their crimes are heinous. So is vigilante action.
Anothter victory for the Murdoch press!
As for therapy, Just coz someone has a nicorette patch doesn't mean their gonna quit smoking
What on earth are you on about?
I wouldnt want peadophiles living near me or children but what can you do? You can't have a society full of vigilantes. Like someone said, whethere yu know they are there or not, it's not goin to make much of a difference on whethere they are going to re-offend.
Is Megan's law in every state? It would be interesting to know if there has been a backlash of mobs since it was introduced.
Tbh I think the vigilantes are far worse, they think they have power, they think they can do whatever they like and for some reason have decided that they have the right to decide how someone else gets to spend their life.
I could possibly see the grounds for complaint when the offendor in questions was a serial child kidnapper, but I think it's a different case entirely when the crime was looking a child porn. While SOME child abusers also look at child porn, most don't. I watch violent films, that doesn't make me a violent person now, does it?
Have you actually thought about what you're saying before you say it? They've got to live somewhere once released from prison, same as people who've beaten people within an inch of their life, and people who've traumatised others though rape, violence.
I don't personally have children, but I have a sister who is 12 years younger than me. If we were aware of a pedophile in our area then yes, we'd be more protective of her, but I sincerley doubt my mum and dad would go around demanding he left the area. He's served his punishment for what he's done, he's even tried to help himself by paying for his therapy, what are YOU people who think he's pure evil expecting him to do, really?
I currently have to see a person who hurt me (in ways I'm not willing to go into) most days, as he has befriended someone down my street. I can feel him watch me when I leave the house, but theres no point over reacting. He's had his appropriate punishment, and there is nothing I can do about it. I'm just more on my guard when I see him. It's easily done.
And finally....
No but it means they're trying though doesn't it?
yep that's what it involves, over europe they had an advertising campaign which was advertising a course of therapy, anonymously for people who thought they might be attracted to children (for free) - the people running it say it's been quite effective so far
it'd make sense the course of therapy for a convicted paedophile will be similar, to control their urges and realise what they're doing is abuse as a child cannot give full informed consent