Today a woman accused me of being a paedophile

[theprawnidentity]

Pretty horrible spot.  Banks are a nightmare for having CCTV all over the place.

[david3103]

I'm guessing that the accusation came from someone looking a little like this



Easily ignored and dismissed as the rantings of someone with little class regardless of their appearance.

The sad truth is that it is really hard to be a male teacher or indeed a male anything who is involved in working with children in any way.

[GreekStein]

Would just tell her 'I hope your daughters don't end up like you'.

[redarmi]

I think it is just sad.  It seems these days in England we are just so suspicious and unfriendly towards people we don't know whereas surely the example we should be setting to our children is to be open and friendly to everyone.  Of course something untoward can happen but to set out with the mindset that it is likely to just closes so many doors in life.  Still not sure whole thread isn't a thin "got money in bank" brag though.......

[The Camel]

Would just tell her 'I hope your daughters don't end up like you'.

After sleeping on it, I decided something like this would have been my best response. Only 24 hours too late!

Whatever, I feel sorry for the children with a parent like this.

[The Camel]

I'm guessing that the accusation came from someone looking a little like this



Easily ignored and dismissed as the rantings of someone with little class regardless of their appearance.

The sad truth is that it is really hard to be a male teacher or indeed a male anything who is involved in working with children in any way.

Ha, you've obviously been to Darlington David!

[ripple11]

How shocking and very sad Keith, cant blame you for being stunned into silence.

Thinking about it I hope I would have laughed and said something like" don't be so ridiculous, do think every man that smiles at a happy fun loving child is a paedophile??"

Your local town?..same bank as you?...do you think you might come across them again!?

[nirvana]

Horrible situation, I've never had a reaction like that but I've still stopped smiling a,t or waving back at, kids for the most part.

If I'm honest, my reaction would depend on the size of the father

[lucky_scrote]

The stupid thing is, almost all sexual assaults on children come from parents or close family. Will it get to the point where you can't show affection with your children in public?

[kinboshi]

Not a pleasant situation for you Keith, and I suppose it's an extreme case of paranoia from the parent (who may have been a victim of abuse in the past, as suggested).  Of course, this in no way justifies her comment.

It's similar to the "Oi, are you looking at my missus?" comment from a neanderthal in a bar, when you can either say no and then he comes back with the "you saying my missus is ugly?" or the yes answer that could be followed by violence.  It's them projecting their fears and insecurities onto others. 

I don't think there are many things you can be falsely accused of that are on the same level as being called a paedophile.  There's no evidence that suggests that sexual abuse of children is a bigger danger today than it was in the past. It's just that the mass communication we have now means we all hear about it when it happens (well, when it's reported).  As Dan said, most sexual assaults on children are carried out by family members or close friends of the family.  That's true now as it's always been.  Yet the idea of a stranger preying on children is what gets the headlines and news stories, and creates the fear that means even normally rational people act irrationally.

I think we had a discussion on this topic previously, but if I saw a young boy alone in a shopping centre looking distressed and lost, my first reaction would be to find a women who could approach the boy and take him to the centre management or the police.  Not sure I'd be comfortable doing that myself, which is a pretty sad state of affairs really.

[AndrewT]

I can't understand it Keith - you look nothing like Woody Allen.

[Doobs]

Not a pleasant situation for you Keith, and I suppose it's an extreme case of paranoia from the parent (who may have been a victim of abuse in the past, as suggested).  Of course, this in no way justifies her comment.

It's similar to the "Oi, are you looking at my missus?" comment from a neanderthal in a bar, when you can either say no and then he comes back with the "you saying my missus is ugly?" or the yes answer that could be followed by violence.  It's them projecting their fears and insecurities onto others. 

I don't think there are many things you can be falsely accused of that are on the same level as being called a paedophile.  There's no evidence that suggests that sexual abuse of children is a bigger danger today than it was in the past. It's just that the mass communication we have now means we all hear about it when it happens (well, when it's reported).  As Dan said, most sexual assaults on children are carried out by family members or close friends of the family.  That's true now as it's always been.  Yet the idea of a stranger preying on children is what gets the headlines and news stories, and creates the fear that means even normally rational people act irrationally.

I think we had a discussion on this topic previously, but if I saw a young boy alone in a shopping centre looking distressed and lost, my first reaction would be to find a women who could approach the boy and take him to the centre management or the police.  Not sure I'd be comfortable doing that myself, which is a pretty sad state of affairs really.

You are all mad.  People in the thread are complaining how the press is causing an issue and then overreacting to situations because of what the Mail said.

 Go ask the kid if he is ok. If he isn't, try and find the parents/somebody in authority or look after him until the parents show up etc.  All parents are going to lose sight of their kids sometimes.  99% of parents are just going to be grateful somebody found their kid.  And for the other 1% there is always the CCTV.  

[david3103]

Not a pleasant situation for you Keith, and I suppose it's an extreme case of paranoia from the parent (who may have been a victim of abuse in the past, as suggested).  Of course, this in no way justifies her comment.

It's similar to the "Oi, are you looking at my missus?" comment from a neanderthal in a bar, when you can either say no and then he comes back with the "you saying my missus is ugly?" or the yes answer that could be followed by violence.  It's them projecting their fears and insecurities onto others. 

I don't think there are many things you can be falsely accused of that are on the same level as being called a paedophile.  There's no evidence that suggests that sexual abuse of children is a bigger danger today than it was in the past. It's just that the mass communication we have now means we all hear about it when it happens (well, when it's reported).  As Dan said, most sexual assaults on children are carried out by family members or close friends of the family.  That's true now as it's always been.  Yet the idea of a stranger preying on children is what gets the headlines and news stories, and creates the fear that means even normally rational people act irrationally.

I think we had a discussion on this topic previously, but if I saw a young boy alone in a shopping centre looking distressed and lost, my first reaction would be to find a women who could approach the boy and take him to the centre management or the police.  Not sure I'd be comfortable doing that myself, which is a pretty sad state of affairs really.

You are all mad.  People in the thread are complaining how the press is causing an issue and then overreacting to situations because of what the Mail said.

 Go ask the kid if he is ok. If he isn't, try and find the parents/somebody in authority or look after him until the parents show up etc.  All parents are going to lose sight of their kids sometimes.  99% of parents are just going to be grateful somebody found their kid.  And for the other 1% there is always the CCTV.  

absolutely this

we should do what is appropriate for the child and ensure their safety and be safe in the knowledge that we have done nothing wrong

[kinboshi]

Not a pleasant situation for you Keith, and I suppose it's an extreme case of paranoia from the parent (who may have been a victim of abuse in the past, as suggested).  Of course, this in no way justifies her comment.

It's similar to the "Oi, are you looking at my missus?" comment from a neanderthal in a bar, when you can either say no and then he comes back with the "you saying my missus is ugly?" or the yes answer that could be followed by violence.  It's them projecting their fears and insecurities onto others. 

I don't think there are many things you can be falsely accused of that are on the same level as being called a paedophile.  There's no evidence that suggests that sexual abuse of children is a bigger danger today than it was in the past. It's just that the mass communication we have now means we all hear about it when it happens (well, when it's reported).  As Dan said, most sexual assaults on children are carried out by family members or close friends of the family.  That's true now as it's always been.  Yet the idea of a stranger preying on children is what gets the headlines and news stories, and creates the fear that means even normally rational people act irrationally.

I think we had a discussion on this topic previously, but if I saw a young boy alone in a shopping centre looking distressed and lost, my first reaction would be to find a women who could approach the boy and take him to the centre management or the police.  Not sure I'd be comfortable doing that myself, which is a pretty sad state of affairs really.

You are all mad.  People in the thread are complaining how the press is causing an issue and then overreacting to situations because of what the Mail said.

 Go ask the kid if he is ok. If he isn't, try and find the parents/somebody in authority or look after him until the parents show up etc.  All parents are going to lose sight of their kids sometimes.  99% of parents are just going to be grateful somebody found their kid.  And for the other 1% there is always the CCTV. 

absolutely this

we should do what is appropriate for the child and ensure their safety and be safe in the knowledge that we have done nothing wrong

Oh, I'd make sure the kid is OK.  But I'd probably get a woman to stay with him whilst I went to find someone in 'authority' rather than the other way round.

[celtic]

At least she didn't call you fabrice!

Horrible situation. Really don't know what I'd do/say.