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Hi,
my dad has finally received his court date for a couple weeks time. It is terrifying, his therapist told him they thought it would be NFA but obviously not. We are so scared about the media finding out and don't know if there's any precautions we can take eg name change? It isn't a big case, he has been charged with attempting online sexual communication with a child and sending an indecent image. We live in a very quiet town so concerned the media won't have anything better to post about on the day. Biggest fear is everyone hating us and hating my dad when he really isn't a bad person he just made a awful mistake. Appreciate any help and kind words.
my dad has finally received his court date for a couple weeks time. It is terrifying, his therapist told him they thought it would be NFA but obviously not. We are so scared about the media finding out and don't know if there's any precautions we can take eg name change? It isn't a big case, he has been charged with attempting online sexual communication with a child and sending an indecent image. We live in a very quiet town so concerned the media won't have anything better to post about on the day. Biggest fear is everyone hating us and hating my dad when he really isn't a bad person he just made a awful mistake. Appreciate any help and kind words.
Hi Olivia, sadly there isn't much we can do to control the media. Yes your Dad could change his name but there would be no guarantee his previous name isn't published. My son also had a big fear of his story being in the media and it was, twice.
I chose to come off social media before hand so I didn't have to read the articles or the comments which was helpful for me. 8 months on and nothing bad has happened to him or his children as a result of his story being out. We also live in a small place where everyone tends to know everyone else. My son has found that the worst that has happened is that some people tend to ignore him if they see him but that's as bad as it's been.
I reallly hope for you all that you avoid the media but if you don't, you'll get through it as the reality is really not as bad as the fear.
I chose to come off social media before hand so I didn't have to read the articles or the comments which was helpful for me. 8 months on and nothing bad has happened to him or his children as a result of his story being out. We also live in a small place where everyone tends to know everyone else. My son has found that the worst that has happened is that some people tend to ignore him if they see him but that's as bad as it's been.
I reallly hope for you all that you avoid the media but if you don't, you'll get through it as the reality is really not as bad as the fear.
Hi
Just like Ocean said, might be best to come off social for your dad and immediate family. Make sure there's no photos available of him anywhere online (eg tagged in FB, linkedin and so on).
This is too late but a therapist can't really speculate the outcome and it's wrong of them to have given false hope by encouraging your dad to believe it will be NFA. Sexual communication with a child and sending them indecent images is a big thing and should be treated as such. Even despite of that, your dad is more than his worst moment x
Do you get mental health support for yourself?
Just like Ocean said, might be best to come off social for your dad and immediate family. Make sure there's no photos available of him anywhere online (eg tagged in FB, linkedin and so on).
This is too late but a therapist can't really speculate the outcome and it's wrong of them to have given false hope by encouraging your dad to believe it will be NFA. Sexual communication with a child and sending them indecent images is a big thing and should be treated as such. Even despite of that, your dad is more than his worst moment x
Do you get mental health support for yourself?