Since when are we not allowed to talk to the children?

Carfal

There is a certain group of people for whom everything is everybody else's fault and the first reaction is to have a go at the nearest person when you may possibly be in the wrong yourself.

Was this during school hours? If the child had just been to the dentist, the mother should have been taking her back to school rather than going dress shopping. You could just as easily have been a social worker or truancy officer questioning her child, or someone who may have considered reporting her for not taking care of the child properly.

You weren't in the wrong. Poor child and the many more who have mothers like her.

coolcait

abailey54 wrote: »

Surely that's not a concern for parents - their child is abducted or whatever but it's okay, because it didn't happen to millions of other children. The fact is, it may only happen to one in a million, but you don't want that one to be your child

To be fair I think the comment about Spain is fairly idiotic - there's been plenty of evidence to suggest that we have plenty enough peodophile rings in this country to not be pointing fingers at other countries

I think that the comment was about Portugal - and appeared to reference a high-profile disappearance from a few years back.

There is much which could be said, but silence seems to be the policy.

"And that's all I have to say about that"

StevenMarks

I've been away for work or I'd have responded sooner.

Unless the rules have been changed, CRB checks also include accusations and not just convictions so if someone claims you abducted their child (even if you only assisted them to a security point) would be shown up on the check and could affect employment opportunities.

I'd be devastated if I did hear about a child I'd ignored coming to harm. However, in my opinion, the risks to me are far greater than the chances of that happening.

As society in general, and indeed a number of posters in this thread, see men by themselves as a risk I have no alternative but to protect myself.

victory

StevenMarks wrote: »

I've been away for work or I'd have responded sooner.

Unless the rules have been changed, CRB checks also include accusations and not just convictions so if someone claims you abducted their child (even if you only assisted them to a security point) would be shown up on the check and could affect employment opportunities.

I'd be devastated if I did hear about a child I'd ignored coming to harm. However, in my opinion, the risks to me are far greater than the chances of that happening.

As society in general, and indeed a number of posters in this thread, see men by themselves as a risk I have no alternative but to protect myself.

The risks to you? You would put that first over a little child wandering around , distressed, lost and in need of help?

tibawo

I still remember when dd2 was about four and ran off in front of me to chase pigeons. She was literally five metres in front of me. An old lady asked her where her mummy was. She pointed to me. The lady looked and asked again. By this time I had caught up and asked if there was a problem in a nice way. The problem was my two are mixed race so the lady was looking for someone her colour. She was absolutely mortified and couldn't stop saying sorry as I think she was expecting me to be angry.

StevenMarks

victory wrote: »

The risks to you? You would put that first over a little child wandering around , distressed, lost and in need of help?

Yes. The chances of false accusations which could result in unemployment and being branded a peadophile in the local community is far more likely than any harm actually befalling the child.

If I saw a copper or security I'd probably direct them to the child but there is no way in Hell I would hover and watch over it. In the scale of bad things that's second only to approaching it directly.

This is the society and environment that has been constructed through the demonisation of men.

lostinrates

victory wrote: »

The risks to you? You would put that first over a little child wandering around , distressed, lost and in need of help?

If the individual scared of an accusation is at risk then that might impact opn children of theirs too.


That we have normal people scared to help is a travesty, and is a huge risk for all our society IMO.

I dpon't belittle the fear of a child being snatched or abused but, I do place credance to the fact that a society that feels able to help and support all it's members, including the little ones, is a happier, stronger and more content, and indeed SAFER one.

rpc

StevenMarks wrote: »

Unless the rules have been changed, CRB checks also include accusations and not just convictions so if someone claims you abducted their child (even if you only assisted them to a security point) would be shown up on the check and could affect employment opportunities.

Not quite. Only information that is deemed relevant by the police force is disclosed. For that to happen, the complaint would have to make it as far as the police and then there is still a good chance that the police would dismiss it offhand.

Jonbvn

rpc wrote: »

Not quite. Only information that is deemed relevant by the police force is disclosed. For that to happen, the complaint would have to make it as far as the police and then there is still a good chance that the police would dismiss it offhand.

Sorry, but I don't think this significantly lessens the risk to a man put in this situation.

It is a sad indictment of our society, but I am forced to agree with the other guys on this thread. When I am on my own, self preservation dictates that I cannot talk to a child or assist them in anyway.

victory

StevenMarks wrote: »

Yes. The chances of false accusations which could result in unemployment and being branded a peadophile in the local community is far more likely than any harm actually befalling the child.

If I saw a copper or security I'd probably direct them to the child but there is no way in Hell I would hover and watch over it. In the scale of bad things that's second only to approaching it directly.

This is the society and environment that has been constructed through the demonisation of men.

.

Such a terrible,terrible shame.