Vigilance

[Edmund Blackadder]

I am about to tell you something that has been on my mind recently something that has meant I haven't been around much.

About a month ago I received a text message from my housemate asking me what time I would be getting home after a night out.

Well, I answered the text message with my usual early hours time BUT one thing or another meant I went home early.

When I got home I found something that worried me a little.
My housemate, his girlfriend and her 10 year old daughter all share one room.
The girlfriend often has business trips away from home and leaves the girl with him.
Anyway, I came home and found them in bed.
Now this in and of itself isn't the issue. I mean it could have been they simply fell asleep watching a movie and the door opened slightly.

I did however remember the text. Then I remembered all the other text messages I had received when the girlfriend was away asking the same question. I then realised I have never had such a text when the girlfriend is at home.

OK, so far all circumstancial but I must admit my spidey senses were tingling - so much so I talked to Randiann about it.

I decided to get advice from the Child Protection Services but I didn't give any names because I had to be sure.

They told me it was something they would investigate but they also said that most cases end up being nothingat all.

A week ago I should have been out but was laid in bed, ill.
My housemates obviously thought I was out because I received a text message asking what time I would be back.

I left it a little while, then went and knocked on the bedroom door.

Immediately I heard my housemate shout 'don't open the door, I'll come to you' followed by a lor of movement.
He opened the door in shorts and a back to front T-Shirt, and the little girl was sat facing away from the door on the end of the bed, I could hear sniffling.

Sufficed to say this was enough for me and I called the police and the Child Protection Service.

This afternoon I got a phone call from his, now ex, girlfriend saying he was being held until a court date and was charged with indecent assault of a minor.


I wanted to share this with you because I feel this is something that needs to be discussed.
We're relatively safe on these boards, as safe as can be expected, but we must be vigilant.
I am not suggesting we eye everyone as a potential threat, what I am suggesting is that people keep in mind that you don't really know anyone online.

Please guys, be safe.

Thanks

 

[Blondie Bear]

We need more Chris Hansens. . . .

But, yes, true. I feel relatively safe because I'm WAY over the age that predators tend to be attracted to and I'm very careful about who I give information to, but there are a lot of teens here and I worry for you guys sometimes.

 

[Sweetescape]

I agree, vigilance is very important.

None one should have to go through anything like that ever.

 

[Kean]

That is horrific, it actually made me sick to my stomach.

Please guys if any of you feel threatened or unsafe here or you feel that something is not above board I implore to you to come and speak to the mods. We are here to make sure you are safe. If anyone has any questions/problems or anything to at all do not hesitate to come speak to us.

 

[StuckinTraffic]

Your social conscience is to be applauded and there should be more people like you who are willing to do the unpopular thing. A lot of times, people are like, "it's not my business, I'll stay out of it...." I worked with a lady at my old job who took a "head in the sand" stance about the mother with two young daughters who lived across the street from her....in MY opinion, they were being neglected and abused, but she refused to call CPS about it. Her excuse was that, "God will take care of it..." I kept thinking, "yes.....what if he sent YOU to do that for him?" I didn't say anything, because she was like that.....her answer for EVERYTHING was that God would take care of it, thereby letting herself off the hook for actually DOING something or making a decision. I firmly believe that God does take care of everything, but that He also expects in us a certain amount of free will. Anyway, your actions prove that, imo....I ended up calling CPS myself, anonymously.

I meant to add, also....there is NO excuse for anyone here to ever feel threatened or unsafe. This is a safe, family friendly haven for Buffy-lovers and should remain so. There are plenty of mods/admins to go to, should anyone here feel the need. Don't hesitate to do so!

 

[Edmund Blackadder]

One thing though.
I have had my phone taken from me.

I never delete text messages just because I am lazy, well apparently they can use the texts he sent me and if they coincide with when the girlfriend was away (which they will) and the little girl affirms everything that happened (which looks like it will happen) then this is pretty helpful.

 

[StuckinTraffic]

Oh good! That's more than circumstancial evidence, I think....

Anyway, I've been saying the same thing for years...it behooves us to make the world a better place, one person CAN make a difference (are you listening, sco? LOL! 😉 ). Everyone always says, "well that's the way of the world," when something bad happens. I've always wondered....why?

 

[JenniferAlice]

That's terrible news..
Are you close to your flatmate, you know as a friend?
Shocking, totally shocking.
I'm proud of you, man!

 

[Friendly Lurker]

It could have gone on for years if you hadn't stopped it. For all we know, you might just have saved her life. Well done!

 

[atticus]

Well done to you, i have nothing but respect for you, you did a great thing. I know there are many people in this world that are considered bad. But a young child is probably the closest example of purity and innocence you can witness. It makes me sick to my stomach, that they can be hurt and violated in this way. I truly believe you saved her life, and have hopefully stopped it soon enough, so that she can begin to have some of her childhood back, i truly hope so. You stopped an evil man, and helped a young child, there are not enough compliments for you. Well done.

 

[Silum]

absolutely amazing that these people exist in this world. Well done man, i hope he gets whats comin

 

[Fusions2]

Well done for keeping with your instincts, theres just too much creepy factor in the world today and this is it, I still to this day don't get how people can think like that with minors. Like Friendly Lurker said you might have just saved her life and a lot more pain from her.

 

[Relic]

Nicely done. The world has some true monsters in it. We also have a fair share of hero's. You'd duck that title when someone gives it to you, I'd bet....but to that little girl, thats what you are.

Way to care, Adder. It makes me happy to know there are still folks out there like you.

 

[Veyron]

Edmund - first of all - no need to feel ashamed that you didn't spot the signs of this abuse earlier - dude it takes time to put the pieces of a hideous crime like this together - the fact that you put 2 + 2 together and came up with the correct answer is ALL that matters - some folks, when adding that simple equation together would have come up with 5 -- so be proud of yourself for doing a good thing and hold your head high.

 

[Edmund Blackadder]

**UPDATE**

The pervert has alleged that the mother was involved to the point of knowing what was happening and purposefully staying away on business.

I don't know what to believe on that one as I really cannot think a parent could do something like that.

His evidence, however, is the fact that some of her business trips where she stayed away were in central London.

Just to make that clear, I live in South Croydon which is 22 minutes from Victoria Station, which is central London.

 

[Kean]

I want to say it's him cluthcing at straws but in this situation it really is impossible to know. I hope to God she didn't know.

My heart and prayers go out to that little girl.

 

[atticus]

God, a mother couldn't do that, could she? One monster is bad enough, but two. I hope this is a lie. Poor child.

 

[Edmund Blackadder]

I want to say it's him cluthcing at straws but in this situation it really is impossible to know. I hope to God she didn't know.

My heart and prayers go out to that little girl.

God, a mother couldn't do that, could she? One monster is bad enough, but two. I hope this is a lie. Poor child.

I hope it is a lie, him clutching at straws too, but I gotta a when I found this out and the fact that she had business trips in London, its made me think.

I am seriously not kidding about the distance.

When I go clubbing in central London, I finish at say 4am, I am home by 5:30 and thats including stopping for a Kebab and a Coffee for 40 minutes!

Croydon is one of the easiest places to get to and OK, if you finish work at 10pm and you have the option of a hotel in London, you tak so you don't have to travel, but if you finish earlier, it is easier to just travel home.

NOTE: Child has been taken into temporary care while this is sorted out.

 

[Cohen]

That's all awful. Poor girl.

Hope everything works out for the better.

You are a good man, Al. I've always believed so. [kinda. 😉]

 

[Kean]

I hope it is a lie, him clutching at straws too, but I gotta a when I found this out and the fact that she had business trips in London, its made me think.

I am seriously not kidding about the distance.

When I go clubbing in central London, I finish at say 4am, I am home by 5:30 and thats including stopping for a Kebab and a Coffee for 40 minutes!

Croydon is one of the easiest places to get to and OK, if you finish work at 10pm and you have the option of a hotel in London, you tak so you don't have to travel, but if you finish earlier, it is easier to just travel home.

NOTE: Child has been taken into temporary care while this is sorted out.

She finished work at ten and didn't come home? Alarm bells.