Just want to vent/get some advice?
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Hi everyone,
My OH got the knock on the 1st of July, last I heard the OIC is awaiting the report to come back from the cyber team after checking devices, the OIC said it will be sooner rather than later they get the report back and the case hasn't been sent to PF.
My OH was not arrested but attended a "voluntary" interview on the same day as the knock and was released pending investigation - no bail or conditions etc were set, we were just told to sit tight. We have no kids so no SS involved.
I found a link on mine and my OH's shared computer that contained pornography - not just children but people of all ages. My OH claims he had no idea that's what the link contained, he was following a friends advice to download tv shows and movies for us to watch when we go on holiday and he downloaded a file with a bunch of different links in it that he thought were to download tv shows and movies, most of them didn't work so he gave up and forgot about the file. I went to my sister to confine in her about what I found and her partner called the police.
I know there were no photos videos etc anywhere on that computer as we both shared it and I always had access to it, it was unfortunately a link in a file with a bunch of other links.
My questions are I guess what is the next steps in this process once the report comes back from the cyber team? Is there any likelihood of my OH being charged with anything?
My family are putting a lot of pressure on me for answers, my sister has told my dad about the situation as well which has put him in a sticky place because his wife's son works for the police and his wife works in social services so they are not allowed to have any association with us, but my dad is pressing me to get answers asap.
My mental health as well as my OH's have been suffering massively through this especially when family have made the situation so much worse by telling other people we did not want to know about this.
We don't have a lawyer but we did try to contact one who told us until the cyber report comes back and the police try to charge my OH, they can't do anything so just sit tight.
I'm at my wits end along with everyone else here, I just want my life to go back to how it was.
My OH got the knock on the 1st of July, last I heard the OIC is awaiting the report to come back from the cyber team after checking devices, the OIC said it will be sooner rather than later they get the report back and the case hasn't been sent to PF.
My OH was not arrested but attended a "voluntary" interview on the same day as the knock and was released pending investigation - no bail or conditions etc were set, we were just told to sit tight. We have no kids so no SS involved.
I found a link on mine and my OH's shared computer that contained pornography - not just children but people of all ages. My OH claims he had no idea that's what the link contained, he was following a friends advice to download tv shows and movies for us to watch when we go on holiday and he downloaded a file with a bunch of different links in it that he thought were to download tv shows and movies, most of them didn't work so he gave up and forgot about the file. I went to my sister to confine in her about what I found and her partner called the police.
I know there were no photos videos etc anywhere on that computer as we both shared it and I always had access to it, it was unfortunately a link in a file with a bunch of other links.
My questions are I guess what is the next steps in this process once the report comes back from the cyber team? Is there any likelihood of my OH being charged with anything?
My family are putting a lot of pressure on me for answers, my sister has told my dad about the situation as well which has put him in a sticky place because his wife's son works for the police and his wife works in social services so they are not allowed to have any association with us, but my dad is pressing me to get answers asap.
My mental health as well as my OH's have been suffering massively through this especially when family have made the situation so much worse by telling other people we did not want to know about this.
We don't have a lawyer but we did try to contact one who told us until the cyber report comes back and the police try to charge my OH, they can't do anything so just sit tight.
I'm at my wits end along with everyone else here, I just want my life to go back to how it was.
I'm so sorry you find yourself here.
Have you rang the helpline for some advice? Unfortunately the process can be very long, I'd mentally prepare yourself for a very long wait ahead. If family are stressing you out with questions and wanting updates I would also avoid telling anyone else until you have an idea what is going on, and forensics have come back; because you won't be able to answer any questions until then.
Also please make sure you protect yourself, as unfortunately not everyone who comes across this stuff has done it accidentally and often people can minimise or try to hide what they've been upto online. I would try to encourage person to be completely honest so you are forewarned of what may be to come.
Dis they have a solicitor with them in the police interview and do you know exactly what they said?
Has the OIC given you any idea how long it will take or whether/when you can have the devices back. Did you report the files to anyone (the online provider) when you found out what they contained? Unfortunately it's very hard to tell what was downloaded accidentally and what was on purpose, and because of this it can be tricky as the law says if it's on your computer it's illegal and your responsibility to report as soon as you find it, or ensure you don't ever have those types of images.
unfirthbatekynit doesn't matter whether it's an actual image you clicked and downloaded, if it's a "useable" link that works it's still classed as having iioc. Some people on here have had their own forensic investigations done, but I think that's expensive and there's a best time to do it. I believe it is better if you've reported yourself once discovered but I don't think it helps as they'll still have investigate.
If you can afford it (or I think some solicitors give half an hours free legal advice before you decide whether to take them on) it might be worth looking into a solicitors who specialise in cyber crime, see if they can provide any clarity or advice if you've got an idea of time.
Good luck, and don't be afraid to ask your GP for help if you're struggling with the stress of it all.
Have you rang the helpline for some advice? Unfortunately the process can be very long, I'd mentally prepare yourself for a very long wait ahead. If family are stressing you out with questions and wanting updates I would also avoid telling anyone else until you have an idea what is going on, and forensics have come back; because you won't be able to answer any questions until then.
Also please make sure you protect yourself, as unfortunately not everyone who comes across this stuff has done it accidentally and often people can minimise or try to hide what they've been upto online. I would try to encourage person to be completely honest so you are forewarned of what may be to come.
Dis they have a solicitor with them in the police interview and do you know exactly what they said?
Has the OIC given you any idea how long it will take or whether/when you can have the devices back. Did you report the files to anyone (the online provider) when you found out what they contained? Unfortunately it's very hard to tell what was downloaded accidentally and what was on purpose, and because of this it can be tricky as the law says if it's on your computer it's illegal and your responsibility to report as soon as you find it, or ensure you don't ever have those types of images.
unfirthbatekynit doesn't matter whether it's an actual image you clicked and downloaded, if it's a "useable" link that works it's still classed as having iioc. Some people on here have had their own forensic investigations done, but I think that's expensive and there's a best time to do it. I believe it is better if you've reported yourself once discovered but I don't think it helps as they'll still have investigate.
If you can afford it (or I think some solicitors give half an hours free legal advice before you decide whether to take them on) it might be worth looking into a solicitors who specialise in cyber crime, see if they can provide any clarity or advice if you've got an idea of time.
Good luck, and don't be afraid to ask your GP for help if you're struggling with the stress of it all.