[Wanderer]

Re: Sarah's Law.... advice needed please . : Wed Jul 25, 2012 11:36 am  

Dally wrote:

I think you need to form your own judgement on the people. The behaviour sounds odd as you've described it, but if your neighbours were a nice, retired couple and your kids have shown interest in their puppy they may just be being friendly. It goes without saying, if in doubt play safe. Sounds like you do have doubts, so you should make written enquiries (so it can't be white-washed as easily if the people are "known") of whoever the competent authority is.

You need to re-read what the OP wrote.

The puppy was his sons and isn't part of the current issue.

Re: Sarah's Law.... advice needed please . : Wed Jul 25, 2012 12:15 pm  

Mintball wrote:

The tabloid media in particular is massively guilty of whipping up hysteria.

There is far, far more danger of a child being abused in their own home by a relative or family friend than elsewhere.

Correct. But this is extremely strange behaviour, and although it's rare it does happen.
I have two kids and I don't know anyone who has had sleepovers even with their friends families at 5, let alone two fairly random adults. I personally don't think kids that young should have sleepovers, just me. And you are right, even if you "know" someone you don't really know them that well to trust your 5 year old with them overnight.

I would be very concerned about these people.

Re: Sarah's Law.... advice needed please . : Wed Jul 25, 2012 12:22 pm  

BaldRick wrote:

A year or three ago we had new neighbours move in opposite us . They kept coming over and asking my (then) 5 yr old lad to go with them for a walk in the woods with his puppy . This caused concerns . I rang the police , and within 20 mins we had two family liaison officers at our door . They could not tell us if there was anything to be concerned about , but they did say that they WOULD NOT say there was NOT a problem .
I had a word with the neighbours , and we have seen and heard very little from them until recent weeks . They have now started approaching my 5 yr old daughter and have been asking her if she wants to have a sleep-over at their house .
My gut feeling is that I should just burn them in their sleep . My sensible side tells me that I should use Sarah's Law and request information from the local police station . BUT .. I have been informed that Sarah's Law is a myth as it has not been passed by parliament .
Any advice as to what action I can (legally) take would be very much appreciated .

Tell them to forget about the kiddies.
Get you and your lass across the road for a bit of swinging action?


Am actually hoping Minty will reply to this post . She seems to have done her research , and be rather well informed and level-headed regarding most subjects .

No 'BURN THE PAEDOS' responses please .

Re: Sarah's Law.... advice needed please . : Wed Jul 25, 2012 12:45 pm  

Wanderer wrote:

You need to re-read what the OP wrote.

The puppy was his sons and isn't part of the current issue.

Point taken. I read the post a while befire I posted.

It remains though that it is possible that the people have good intentions - they may, for eaxmple, worry about the kids domestic situation? (That is not any form of accusation againsat the OP (who I do not know, just like I do not know the other people), but it is at least possible).

At the end of the day, if the OP has concerns he should err on the side of caution - keep a close eye on his children and make enquiries through the proper channels as a matter of urgency - putting his concerns in writing to them, with copy to local MP if his concers are serious. That way they are much more likely to act.

Re: Sarah's Law.... advice needed please . : Wed Jul 25, 2012 12:49 pm  

DHM wrote: Correct. But this is extremely strange behaviour ... On the basis of just what is written in the OP, I'd agree completely. But the hysteria is a reality – and we know where it leads. And there is a facility there if someone feels they need to explore further, beyond simply saying 'no'. I think Standee has a point too.

DHM wrote: Correct. But this is extremely strange behaviour ... On the basis of just what is written in the OP, I'd agree completely. But the hysteria is a reality – and we know where it leads. And there is a facility there if someone feels they need to explore further, beyond simply saying 'no'. I think Standee has a point too.

Re: Sarah's Law.... advice needed please . : Wed Jul 25, 2012 1:00 pm  

I'd speak to the police again in your shoes. The other person that might be able to help/point you in the right direction is if you can find out who your local Child Protection/Safeguarding officer is at the local council.

I can't stand hysteria or vigilante type action (as I've said before on here it cost us our home when my sister died), however no adults should be approaching a 5 year old child about staying overnight without prior discussion/permission from the child's parents. That is odd, and concerning, behaviour imo.

Re: Sarah's Law.... advice needed please . : Wed Jul 25, 2012 4:01 pm  

Mintball wrote: On the basis of just what is written in the OP, I'd agree completely. But the hysteria is a reality – and we know where it leads. Nobody is getting hysterical.

Mintball wrote: On the basis of just what is written in the OP, I'd agree completely. But the hysteria is a reality – and we know where it leads. Nobody is getting hysterical.

Re: Sarah's Law.... advice needed please . : Wed Jul 25, 2012 8:10 pm  

BaldRick wrote:

A year or three ago we had new neighbours move in opposite us . They kept coming over and asking my (then) 5 yr old lad to go with them for a walk in the woods with his puppy . This caused concerns . I rang the police , and within 20 mins we had two family liaison officers at our door . They could not tell us if there was anything to be concerned about , but they did say that they WOULD NOT say there was NOT a problem .
I had a word with the neighbours , and we have seen and heard very little from them until recent weeks . They have now started approaching my 5 yr old daughter and have been asking her if she wants to have a sleep-over at their house .
My gut feeling is that I should just burn them in their sleep . My sensible side tells me that I should use Sarah's Law and request information from the local police station . BUT .. I have been informed that Sarah's Law is a myth as it has not been passed by parliament .
Any advice as to what action I can (legally) take would be very much appreciated .

Am actually hoping Minty will reply to this post . She seems to have done her research , and be rather well informed and level-headed regarding most subjects .

No 'BURN THE PAEDOS' responses please .

If the police are aware that there is a problem they will be monitoring the situation as will other agencies, especially now concerns have been raised.
Personally I think the best thing you could do is to have a word with these neighbours and tell them you are not comfortable with them asking your 5 yr old to stay over or go for walks etc.

Re: Sarah's Law.... advice needed please . : Thu Jul 26, 2012 7:33 am  

DHM wrote:

Nobody is getting hysterical.

I did not say they were getting hysterical here.

There is, however, a culture of hysteria about the issue. The link illustrated what happens as a result. There were riots around it. If that's not a result of mass hysteria, it's difficult to know what is.

Re: Sarah's Law.... advice needed please . : Thu Jul 26, 2012 7:38 am  

DHM wrote:

Mintball wrote:

The tabloid media in particular is massively guilty of whipping up hysteria.

There is far, far more danger of a child being abused in their own home by a relative or family friend than elsewhere.

Correct. But this is extremely strange behaviour, and although it's rare it does happen.
I have two kids and I don't know anyone who has had sleepovers even with their friends families at 5, let alone two fairly random adults. I personally don't think kids that young should have sleepovers, just me. And you are right, even if you "know" someone you don't really know them that well to trust your 5 year old with them overnight.

I would be very concerned about these people.

My five year old son has had friends sleep over and he's slept over at other friends' houses. Unless we assume that everyone is a paedophile until they prove otherwise, I don't see the problem.