Did Pedophilia Hysteria Cause Child's Death?

[travelinman]

Did Pedophilia Hysteria Cause Child's Death?
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
By Wendy McElroy

On Nov. 28, 2002, 2-year-old Abigail Rae died by drowning in a village pond in England. Her death is currently stirring debate because the ongoing inquest revealed an explosive fact. A man passing by was afraid to guide the lost child to safety because he feared being labeled "a pervert."

In the article "Day of the dad: paedophilia hysteria leaves men afraid to help," The Telegraph raises a question that applies equally to North America. Have high profile cases of pedophilia created such public hysteria that the average decent human being, especially a man, is now reluctant to approach a child in need?

Consider what happened to Abby. The toddler wandered from her nursery school, Ready Teddy Go, through a door left open. A bricklayer named Clive Peachey drove past her in his truck. At the inquest, he stated, "I kept thinking I should go back. The reason I didn't was because I thought people might think I was trying to abduct her."


source

I would have done the same thing.

[Dulcinea]

He should have called the police and reported a wandering child. I know, not everyone carries a cell phone, but he could almost certainly have found a business that would let him use a phone.

Or buddied up with someone on the street, explain his motives and then approach her together.

I know that I have told my children, on the advice of safety experts, that if they are separated from me in a public place that they should go to "a mom", some woman with children, for help. They are more likely than men to try to help a lost child, and there will be less apprehension.

[travelinman]

I don?t know.

I remember something very vividly from a long time ago. I was about 7 or 8 years old with my Father sitting at a red light when a woman was passing through the intersection from my right to my left making a left hand turn. Now this was back before car seats, she was driving an early 50?s Chevy and a child about 3 was standing in the back seat hanging out the rear window. When she made the left turn the kid fell out of the car face first into the middle of the intersection. A man in a car stopped at the light going the opposite direction we were, got out, ran through traffic, picked up the kid and ran to the side of the road. The reaction of the mother was to snatch the kid back and scream at the man for picking up her kid.

Now I know that the mother reacted this way because she was scared and it was her fault because she was not taking care of her kid. But regardless of that she still got upset that this guy who probable saved the kid?s life, touched her kid. Today that guy would be spending his life savings to keep his ass out of jail.

[reason]

Shortly after Cincinnati Mills opened, I was walking through the common area in front of Bigg's, where there is a children's play area.

As I'm walking, there's this toddler scooting by, running away all by his lonesome. It was clear the parent was not aware her kid had run away.

I wanted so bad to go fetch the child and return the toddler to the play area, but I was afraid what might happen. Fortunately, a short time later, the mother realized her child was missing, and I was able to point her down the mall...

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ April 06, 2006 01:24 PM: Message edited by: The Big Sexy ]</font>

[Lew]

It is sad, when you think about it. But I can't say as I blame people for not acting. We live in a world where the best intentions (and actions) can lead to the worst consequences. I would like to think that if I saw a child drowning, I would try to save them. But like in Reason's example, I'd have probably done the same thing for the same reasons.

One thing I always do is carry a release of liability on an index card, and before I go to save someone, I hand them the card and have them sign it, then I have to go get it notarized, and then I come back and proceed with the rescue.

[Beachcomber]

I look upon the situation this way, I understand exactly what Trav is saying and sadly agree to a point. But it's like a house is on fire and you see smoke coming out and it's quite likely someone inside needs rescuing (say you know an elderly person lives there). Do you bust in to try to save the person, or risk being arrested for breaking and entering? I think if faced with such a scenario you go with your gut instinct, you don't have time to "think" about it. Personally I would have stopped and saved the child and just count on justice and that I would be believed. If not then I don't know...I think God tests us (I'm no Bible thumper as you all know, but i do believe in a Divine Being) and even if for self-interest I try to pass such tests.

[cincygreg]

Sad sad state of affairs.
Damned if you do, damned if you dont.

[Raven Soul]

While the idea of chivalry surely isn't dead, it is very much in a comatose state. We live in a day and age when people are being sued for breaking peoples ribs when giving someone CPR or snapping someones arm when pulling them to safety. Why would anyone want to give someone CPR when saving that persons life might end up making you bankrupt? I hate to say it, but I no longer mess with the affairs of others, simply because of instances like Trav brought up or one of the above. It really is a sad state of affairs.

Will I give a lady on the bus my seat? Sure, as long as she signs a waiver saying that I am not sexually harrassing her.

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ April 08, 2006 06:57 PM: Message edited by: Quoth the Raven ]</font>