My 15 year old son
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So my story........ 2 years ago I contacted the police as my then 13 year old son was a victim of online sexual abuse, he eas talking to someone he thought was his age and when I read the chat I knew instantly that it wasn't a child with what this person was asking him to do, the specific pictures they were asking him to take - which he did do! The police the time came out, had a chat and asked me to send them all the screen shots I took and that was it. Fast forward to now.... I seen some very inappropriate chats again on my sons phone and a horrifying video that he had been sent. I contacted the police about what I found and my worried about my son as a victim. The police came out, seized his phone a few days ago. We have given them all passcodes and has been completely transparent with them. I have contacted a private solicitor and I told the investigating officer and he told me that he can't advise for or against a solicitor but to be cautious as a solicitor might ask him to say "no comment" in the interview (we are not at that stage yet) and if he did this will affect his case and how lenient they are! I'm at a total loss of what to do, I feel upset, anger and guilt that I was the one who contacted the police but I was so worried about what I found! My son says that he knows what he has done is wrong, he was curious and wanted materiel of people his age but someone sent him a video of a child much younger, he didn't like it but he saved it and wanted to tell someone but didn't know how! My son has struggled for years with his mental health and developing friendships, I have recently - before this happened put a referral in for an autism assessment. School was already a struggle and I fear that I won't be able to get him back attending, that will further impact his life. What is going to happen now? What are other people's outcomes?
No comment is normal at interview. If , however, he were to plead not guilty then he would lose all leniency as police already have the evidence.
Your solicitor should be able to factor in the mental health and suspected autism into his defence. Can you afford to get him privately diagnised?
Hi my son was arrested and our solicitor said say no comment to everything! I always thought this was ridiculous just tell the truth. Until now it makes perfect sense it's all about self incrimination if the police don't have the evidence they can't go further but if you spill everything out that's the evidence there for them! I hope all goes well. I've totally stop trusting the police whilst going through this!
Hi, I'm so angry on your behalf! This is shocking as you were trying to protect your son and I would have probably done the same in your position and contacted the police. We are in a different situation so I have no knowledge of how you should proceed but hopefully you'll get good legal counsel and know what to do. I send you all the best getting through this x
Hello WorriedMum1234
I am so sorry that you and your son are in this situation.
Have you spoken to the helpline ? If not it may be worth considering. They can support you and your son through the process.
From our expereince as a family I would like to say to you be very wary of the police and their intentions. In our case I believe all they were interested in was getting a conviction. The member of our family was a similar age to your son and had a diagnosis of autism and I was shocked how he was treated by the police. I would listen to your solicitor as he/she will have your son best interests at heart.
The young person in our family did the young person inform course with Stop it Now. It might be something your son may benefit from as it highlights the dangers of the internet and how vulnerable young people can be.
Is your son able to talk to you about what has happened? I hope so. This process is very stressful to young people so I hope he is coping as well as can be expected and he is receiving professional support in some way.
Thinking of you and your son x
I am so sorry that you and your son are in this situation.
Have you spoken to the helpline ? If not it may be worth considering. They can support you and your son through the process.
From our expereince as a family I would like to say to you be very wary of the police and their intentions. In our case I believe all they were interested in was getting a conviction. The member of our family was a similar age to your son and had a diagnosis of autism and I was shocked how he was treated by the police. I would listen to your solicitor as he/she will have your son best interests at heart.
The young person in our family did the young person inform course with Stop it Now. It might be something your son may benefit from as it highlights the dangers of the internet and how vulnerable young people can be.
Is your son able to talk to you about what has happened? I hope so. This process is very stressful to young people so I hope he is coping as well as can be expected and he is receiving professional support in some way.
Thinking of you and your son x