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Hi,
im new and have only just joined but extremely nervous on posting this,
My stepdad was caught by pedophile hunters ( if that’s what you call them) we were made aware by the police that he was arrested but weren’t told what for until one of our neighbours had told us there’s a video on Facebook, the hunters had film right by my house and there are things on the video that are false but now it’s out there there’s no changing any of it,
He was communicating and shared indecent image and video with an underage ( who was a decoy from the hunters),
i have seen these videos online before so I know how they work but have not and will not watch the video of someone who has been my dad for over 10 years, and the way the hunters went around it was disgusting knowing full well they were by my house with a small child in, my sister is very young and they are here to protect children but have put the safety of a young child at risk by allowing people to post our location on the videos, which have been shared and seen by thousands..
i already suffer with mental health and have for years it was only 4 months that I had lost my partner of three years through a car hitting him, i was still going through a very tough grieving process and then this came along and it took me right back to feeling alone and weak,
my family are victims, our lives will never be the same and we have to look over our shoulders each time it has only been a week so very recent, but we haven’t had any support from authority and we are victims in this but are being treated like we have done the crime,
i guess I’m writing this to just get it out and get that support or advice, just to hear someone’s been in the same situation so I’m not alone, because there’s so many people quick to judge when you speak about it,
thankyou for reading x
im new and have only just joined but extremely nervous on posting this,
My stepdad was caught by pedophile hunters ( if that’s what you call them) we were made aware by the police that he was arrested but weren’t told what for until one of our neighbours had told us there’s a video on Facebook, the hunters had film right by my house and there are things on the video that are false but now it’s out there there’s no changing any of it,
He was communicating and shared indecent image and video with an underage ( who was a decoy from the hunters),
i have seen these videos online before so I know how they work but have not and will not watch the video of someone who has been my dad for over 10 years, and the way the hunters went around it was disgusting knowing full well they were by my house with a small child in, my sister is very young and they are here to protect children but have put the safety of a young child at risk by allowing people to post our location on the videos, which have been shared and seen by thousands..
i already suffer with mental health and have for years it was only 4 months that I had lost my partner of three years through a car hitting him, i was still going through a very tough grieving process and then this came along and it took me right back to feeling alone and weak,
my family are victims, our lives will never be the same and we have to look over our shoulders each time it has only been a week so very recent, but we haven’t had any support from authority and we are victims in this but are being treated like we have done the crime,
i guess I’m writing this to just get it out and get that support or advice, just to hear someone’s been in the same situation so I’m not alone, because there’s so many people quick to judge when you speak about it,
thankyou for reading x
Oh as, i am so sorry for you.my case is different but the situations all intertwine.. this forum is amazing for help and advise, or if you just want to shout out.. it does help so much, have you rung the help line.. they may be able to give help. AS we are all here to listen, the hunters need stopping the police should do something.. I find that there is no official help from the services. We are victims and there should be victim support of some description. I vow to try and do something when i retire. I send a massive hug your way.. please be strong xxxx
Hi lilly,
thankyou for replying to my post it helps knowing that people do read it and don’t judge,
i haven’t rung the helpline yet it’s very difficult for me to get that jump and to start talking about everything as a whole,
they really do need to do something about the hunters because they don’t help, I know they think they are helping but they put children at risk, they have stated that for people not to put location on live, or anything.. but they haven’t deleted the comments of our location on their lives, so they don’t care and they know themselves that a small child lives in this property,
i just wish sometimes people would see the affect it has on a family, and to not be treated as an offender we are victims but sometimes authorities treat us as we have done something wrong, I spoke to police the other day and the woman on the phone was horrible it’s like she didn’t want to help,
but thank you, I’ll always be strong I have people to be strong for xxx
thankyou for replying to my post it helps knowing that people do read it and don’t judge,
i haven’t rung the helpline yet it’s very difficult for me to get that jump and to start talking about everything as a whole,
they really do need to do something about the hunters because they don’t help, I know they think they are helping but they put children at risk, they have stated that for people not to put location on live, or anything.. but they haven’t deleted the comments of our location on their lives, so they don’t care and they know themselves that a small child lives in this property,
i just wish sometimes people would see the affect it has on a family, and to not be treated as an offender we are victims but sometimes authorities treat us as we have done something wrong, I spoke to police the other day and the woman on the phone was horrible it’s like she didn’t want to help,
but thank you, I’ll always be strong I have people to be strong for xxx
Hi AS
Its awful that these hunters are allowed to get away with this! They have zero concern for the family who are involved with the person they are hunting!!! I honestly think it's such a taboo subject but people instantly treat these men like they are the absolute worst humans on earth when infact they are far from that they are men who have committed a crime but also they need help!!! The lack of understanding on this subject just drives this whole thing more underground which means these men don't seek help because they are too scared so it takes getting caught for that to happen! The reason the police arrive in un-uniformed clothes and cars is to stop and vigilante behaviour!!! I don't know why they think its a good idea putting these men out to the public, if they want to help go to the police with evidence, they are nothing more than bullies!
I know my biggest fear is the world finding out so I can only imagine what you are going through! I hope these forum helps you through the dark days. Big hugs!
Its awful that these hunters are allowed to get away with this! They have zero concern for the family who are involved with the person they are hunting!!! I honestly think it's such a taboo subject but people instantly treat these men like they are the absolute worst humans on earth when infact they are far from that they are men who have committed a crime but also they need help!!! The lack of understanding on this subject just drives this whole thing more underground which means these men don't seek help because they are too scared so it takes getting caught for that to happen! The reason the police arrive in un-uniformed clothes and cars is to stop and vigilante behaviour!!! I don't know why they think its a good idea putting these men out to the public, if they want to help go to the police with evidence, they are nothing more than bullies!
I know my biggest fear is the world finding out so I can only imagine what you are going through! I hope these forum helps you through the dark days. Big hugs!
Hi abag1987,
reading your comment has made me think why can’t more people think this way, my family member who was hunted had severe mental health issues and other problems, the things he did was wrong but him getting no help lead to him spiralling into something he isn’t, but people don’t see that way and automatically judge and assume that’s who he is,
i find it disgusting how they go around it and to even admit they would of come to my door and done it in front of my mum and little sister, the way they work I find appaling and to know they have been spying on us for months and not realising we were being watched,
they are bullies and they don’t realise how they affect a person and their family, and now that’s all out there to see and people I don’t even speak to that I used to be friends with coming out the wood works for gossip when this involves my family and myself, it’s one thing that you can’t change because it’s now out there.
But this is helping me a lot, honestly thank you for your message
??
reading your comment has made me think why can’t more people think this way, my family member who was hunted had severe mental health issues and other problems, the things he did was wrong but him getting no help lead to him spiralling into something he isn’t, but people don’t see that way and automatically judge and assume that’s who he is,
i find it disgusting how they go around it and to even admit they would of come to my door and done it in front of my mum and little sister, the way they work I find appaling and to know they have been spying on us for months and not realising we were being watched,
they are bullies and they don’t realise how they affect a person and their family, and now that’s all out there to see and people I don’t even speak to that I used to be friends with coming out the wood works for gossip when this involves my family and myself, it’s one thing that you can’t change because it’s now out there.
But this is helping me a lot, honestly thank you for your message
??
The "paedophile hunters" drive me mad! They reckon they are doing good when really they are just a disgrace. First of all the "work" they do interferes with the police. Known child abusers have had cases dropped because of them. Innocent people are thrown under the bus and are stuck with the stigma for life. It's hard enough when the person is guilty, i dread to think what it's like when they're not.
These vigilantes have contacted me and my husband so many times we change numbers constantly. The sad thing is it has been employers etc who have passed on our numbers but naturally deny it. Anyway wmenough if my ranting.
The police should be able to advise you on what to do. It is illegal to film without permission on your property. If it is off of your property then theres little that can be done. If there is a lot of false information it could be classed as slander but again human rights give you freedom of speech. They could use that as a defense. It's all very tricky. My advice us call the helpline, seek legal advice, contact the police and you can also ask for videos to be taken down. Sadly though others may have them and still share it.
I hate that you are going through this. Believe me these idiots are on my list of improvements that need made! I wont sit back and allow it!
These vigilantes have contacted me and my husband so many times we change numbers constantly. The sad thing is it has been employers etc who have passed on our numbers but naturally deny it. Anyway wmenough if my ranting.
The police should be able to advise you on what to do. It is illegal to film without permission on your property. If it is off of your property then theres little that can be done. If there is a lot of false information it could be classed as slander but again human rights give you freedom of speech. They could use that as a defense. It's all very tricky. My advice us call the helpline, seek legal advice, contact the police and you can also ask for videos to be taken down. Sadly though others may have them and still share it.
I hate that you are going through this. Believe me these idiots are on my list of improvements that need made! I wont sit back and allow it!
Hi sallyblue,
I wish everyone thought the way that you do and many others on here do, don’t get me wrong he has done wrong but not what they are making it out to be and the fact it is online and there are multiple videos of the ‘sting’ as the hunters call it,
its viewed by thousands, shared by thousands, and they have said that they can’t take it down because it’s an American company or something like that even though they are based in the uk, so the videos can’t be taken down, but they stated that they didn’t want our location put on there but won’t delete the comments of people saying our location so the hunters clearly don’t care that they are putting a real child at risk,
it does damage and a lot of damage and they don’t care, they get on with their lives, and the video is about two doors away from our house, but neighbours are visible within the video and people have gathered the location from the video to which they posted our road and where our house is, I’m unsure on how they tracked him they said they used Uk database but I was unsure on how the uk database works and how they track people,
Our police investigators that we were assigned have gone on holiday didn’t tell us when they were back we’ve had no support from anyone we’ve just kind of been left to feel like we’ve done something wrong aswell,
They don’t understand what they do to a family, and the affect is has on people our lives have completely changed because of this all, and there’s no going back because it’s out of there
but thank you for your reply, and honestly I wish they would just stop and let the police do their jobs because they aren’t helping one bit
I wish everyone thought the way that you do and many others on here do, don’t get me wrong he has done wrong but not what they are making it out to be and the fact it is online and there are multiple videos of the ‘sting’ as the hunters call it,
its viewed by thousands, shared by thousands, and they have said that they can’t take it down because it’s an American company or something like that even though they are based in the uk, so the videos can’t be taken down, but they stated that they didn’t want our location put on there but won’t delete the comments of people saying our location so the hunters clearly don’t care that they are putting a real child at risk,
it does damage and a lot of damage and they don’t care, they get on with their lives, and the video is about two doors away from our house, but neighbours are visible within the video and people have gathered the location from the video to which they posted our road and where our house is, I’m unsure on how they tracked him they said they used Uk database but I was unsure on how the uk database works and how they track people,
Our police investigators that we were assigned have gone on holiday didn’t tell us when they were back we’ve had no support from anyone we’ve just kind of been left to feel like we’ve done something wrong aswell,
They don’t understand what they do to a family, and the affect is has on people our lives have completely changed because of this all, and there’s no going back because it’s out of there
but thank you for your reply, and honestly I wish they would just stop and let the police do their jobs because they aren’t helping one bit
Hi,Im new here. Refreshing to hear so many people making intelligent comments and trying to understand.
i have found out my partner of 20 yrs accessing images, we’ve smashed computer up I have access to all his IT now and bank account.
he is working through stop it now modules, wonder how long it takes to genuinely not want to do it anymore??
i
i have found out my partner of 20 yrs accessing images, we’ve smashed computer up I have access to all his IT now and bank account.
he is working through stop it now modules, wonder how long it takes to genuinely not want to do it anymore??
i
Hi Anne,
how did you find out if I may ask? It’s absolutely fine if you wouldn’t like to share, but I can only share your pain and how you must feel right now,
my stepdad is working through his modules with Lucy faithful foundation at the moment and i don’t think there’s a time length on how long it will take for them to stop it until they get all the help they need,
x
how did you find out if I may ask? It’s absolutely fine if you wouldn’t like to share, but I can only share your pain and how you must feel right now,
my stepdad is working through his modules with Lucy faithful foundation at the moment and i don’t think there’s a time length on how long it will take for them to stop it until they get all the help they need,
x
Hi
I'm not a lawyer so really can't answer further accept to say if police have evidence that an IP address has been identified .. or email address used and they can show a monthly subscription to an internet provider telling them you no longer have a computer or mobile phone is going to be difficult to explain..
I'm not a lawyer so really can't answer further accept to say if police have evidence that an IP address has been identified .. or email address used and they can show a monthly subscription to an internet provider telling them you no longer have a computer or mobile phone is going to be difficult to explain..
Cg1962
Yes I agree with you regarding mobile phones and contract providers. People are reluctant to change email addresses and as for IP addresses they are individually unique to peoples homes as they form part of the telephone landlines which is why police use them to identify peoples addresses prior to the knock.
Yes I agree with you regarding mobile phones and contract providers. People are reluctant to change email addresses and as for IP addresses they are individually unique to peoples homes as they form part of the telephone landlines which is why police use them to identify peoples addresses prior to the knock.
Hi as97
Sorry to read your story, it is a very shocking, confusing, truly horrendous time.
my partner was caught by vigilantes as well and then arrested by the police. He had been conversing with them and arranged a meeting, to be confronted by the vigilantes. It was in a town a long way from where we live.
The police came and took our devices and that was 16 months ago, we are still waiting to hear what will happen.
I have managed by just thinking of today, not thinking far ahead, I have found it's too scary!
Do you have support? This forum is a lifeline and some of us have connected on mumsnet as well if you feel it would help.
sending you very best wishes and it is early days, it does get better.
Mabel x x
Sorry to read your story, it is a very shocking, confusing, truly horrendous time.
my partner was caught by vigilantes as well and then arrested by the police. He had been conversing with them and arranged a meeting, to be confronted by the vigilantes. It was in a town a long way from where we live.
The police came and took our devices and that was 16 months ago, we are still waiting to hear what will happen.
I have managed by just thinking of today, not thinking far ahead, I have found it's too scary!
Do you have support? This forum is a lifeline and some of us have connected on mumsnet as well if you feel it would help.
sending you very best wishes and it is early days, it does get better.
Mabel x x
Hi.
my son was not caught by the so called hunters which I'm thankful for. This did not stop it going in the paper though but it was sort of more controlled in the paper than them hunters. Them hunters are nothing but fame hungry control freak idiots and that's coming from someone who's son was not caught by them.
those people are scum who don't give two hoots about innocent family members. The press are no better. My sons case went in the paper worded in such a way that made a communication offence sound like he'd raped and murdered five kids! Both are disgraceful organisations and somehow the hunters should be stopped. Trouble is , nobody is willing to take them on simply because it's such a taboo subject. God only knows what the answer is.
my son was not caught by the so called hunters which I'm thankful for. This did not stop it going in the paper though but it was sort of more controlled in the paper than them hunters. Them hunters are nothing but fame hungry control freak idiots and that's coming from someone who's son was not caught by them.
those people are scum who don't give two hoots about innocent family members. The press are no better. My sons case went in the paper worded in such a way that made a communication offence sound like he'd raped and murdered five kids! Both are disgraceful organisations and somehow the hunters should be stopped. Trouble is , nobody is willing to take them on simply because it's such a taboo subject. God only knows what the answer is.
As ever, thank you for using this forum and all your posts. The issue about disposing of devices which have been used to access indecent material is a topic that comes up for us through our work on the Stop It Now! helpline, too. While we can understand why it can be important for people to draw a line, either under their own behaviour or that of a loved one, please keep in mind that in some circumstances not passing this type of information to the police could be counter-productive. For example, some people have been left feeling burdened by their knowledge of their partner's behaviour. It can also mean that their partner is less able to access the help they need to change understand and address this behaviour - because it is still a secret. Additionally, if there is information that indicates a particular person is being harmed, then the authorities would expect that information to be relayed to them. Not to do so might be judged as an effort to hide or dispose of critical evidence, with potentially serious consequences.
Also, I would like to remind you of our confidentiality policy (which you can find in the forum agreement), if anyone were to post on the forum with information relating to an offence the police are not aware of, or we felt anyone was at risk we may pass this on to the relevant services. I can appreciate this sounds daunting, particularly as this forum is designed to be a safe space for those affected by illegal sexual behaviours but we're just keen that you continue to think the issues through so that you can do what is right for you.
If you do have concerns about these issues, then of course you are welcome to call our Stop It Now! helpline. And please do carry on using this forum for mutual support. Thank you.
Also, I would like to remind you of our confidentiality policy (which you can find in the forum agreement), if anyone were to post on the forum with information relating to an offence the police are not aware of, or we felt anyone was at risk we may pass this on to the relevant services. I can appreciate this sounds daunting, particularly as this forum is designed to be a safe space for those affected by illegal sexual behaviours but we're just keen that you continue to think the issues through so that you can do what is right for you.
If you do have concerns about these issues, then of course you are welcome to call our Stop It Now! helpline. And please do carry on using this forum for mutual support. Thank you.
Hello
As requested, there have been a number of comments deleted on this thread. Providing comments are not abusive or breaking forum rules, please don't feel embarrased about posting on this forum about your concerns, even if the forum is not designed to support your situation specifically. This is a safe place to ask questions and I understand why you did. If you would like to make a donation then you can click the 'DONATE NOW!' button on the top of the Stop It Now! homepage (www.stopitnow.org.uk), but please only donate if you would like to do so, rather than out of embarrassment.
Regardless of whether your partner is behaving in an illegal way or not, his behaviour is clearly concerning you. Whilst we may not be the right organisation to support you, if you haven’t already done so, you could try giving our Stop It Now! Helpline (0808 1000 900) a call as they may be able to recommend a service more suited to your situation.
Thank you
Lucy
As requested, there have been a number of comments deleted on this thread. Providing comments are not abusive or breaking forum rules, please don't feel embarrased about posting on this forum about your concerns, even if the forum is not designed to support your situation specifically. This is a safe place to ask questions and I understand why you did. If you would like to make a donation then you can click the 'DONATE NOW!' button on the top of the Stop It Now! homepage (www.stopitnow.org.uk), but please only donate if you would like to do so, rather than out of embarrassment.
Regardless of whether your partner is behaving in an illegal way or not, his behaviour is clearly concerning you. Whilst we may not be the right organisation to support you, if you haven’t already done so, you could try giving our Stop It Now! Helpline (0808 1000 900) a call as they may be able to recommend a service more suited to your situation.
Thank you
Lucy
Thank you I did phone and explained about my partner glad to say he's done nothing wrong apart from looking at older females I did speak to an advisor and when I explained what he doing she said it was ok and I know if he does do it again i don't need to worry but sit down and talk to him the advisor said what he viewed was ok as these were older females I just panicked I guess which was unnecessary it's just good to know and again my apologies for coming on here and thanks for all advice
I read this post I can relate to some of it. Some one in my family was caught by a team that catches online groomers. Sadly there's no help or support for rest of family and agree there should be we live miles from the accused but sadly we was known to. So even though my family member came under entrapment we still got tagged. Thankfully the video got took down. I am against true people who abuse children fact been a victim myself. But when something like this happens close to home the hunters really not concidering the pure insent to what they believe is exposure this effects then famies and children insent or not! It effects business it effects families and children are ment to be the ones protected even if they not been abused but can effect them for life if they hear a family members chatlogs exposed outside there home or through bullies that I do not agree with I agree yes it catching them fact. Hope there's help for famies that are inisent because we land up has victims too!! :-(
This post truely hit home with me as my person was also arrested via vigilaties.
now post sentancing and serving time. But it's us the family that have the fall out. All authorities involved in our have treated me like I've done something wrong when I've done nothing wrong at all, the vigilantes just get their 5 minutes of infamy and that's all they give a crap about thought they are always going on about how they do it for the children, well what about the children of those snared? They are the ones that suffer. What about the families? They don't care. They allow comments and of course sharing which means it goes everywhere. Worst of all that's how I found out. Police didn't even tell me until a day later. It's sickening they entrap people into things they would most likely never have done and then post it and distroy lives and families. They need stopping.
now post sentancing and serving time. But it's us the family that have the fall out. All authorities involved in our have treated me like I've done something wrong when I've done nothing wrong at all, the vigilantes just get their 5 minutes of infamy and that's all they give a crap about thought they are always going on about how they do it for the children, well what about the children of those snared? They are the ones that suffer. What about the families? They don't care. They allow comments and of course sharing which means it goes everywhere. Worst of all that's how I found out. Police didn't even tell me until a day later. It's sickening they entrap people into things they would most likely never have done and then post it and distroy lives and families. They need stopping.
These people no doubt glory in prompting the police, feel they are protecting children. But what about the families (with children) caught up in this?
To me these groups just witch hunt, if it were allowed men would be attached to a post and stoned)......... Its cruel and should be stopped, let the police do their job as they do in every other crime.
To me these groups just witch hunt, if it were allowed men would be attached to a post and stoned)......... Its cruel and should be stopped, let the police do their job as they do in every other crime.
I don't agree that pedophiles should be exposed. They're human beings who deserve to feel safe. I think we need to step back as a society and allow safe places for pedophiles to talk about their urges without judgement or criticism. They get crucified when we should be rehabilitating them. Why are they exposing their crimes?