Isn't it the pits when it's come to this?

[Contrarian]

POLICE CALLED ON GRANDFATHER WHO TOOK CHILD SWIMMING
Yahoo!7
May 5, 2013, 12:55 pm

A Sydney man whose granddaughter took off her clothes for a spontaneous swim at the beach was alarmed when the police arrived to investigate.

Seventy-year-old Leo (who chose not to disclose his surname) told Fairfax media he was babysitting for the girl's parents at Balmoral Beach when six-year-old Emma decided to go for a swim.

"She didn't stop beaming from the time she got in to the time she got out," he said.

But shortly after helping his granddaughter get dressed, Leo was approached by police.

"They wanted my name; they took my identification. They also talked to Emma and asked her name and date of birth. They informed me a complaint had been lodged."

Police quickly established that the situation was innocent, but the girls' family told the Sydney Morning Herald they wished the anonymous complainant had approached Leo personally, rather than going to the police.

The girl's mother was particularly concerned about the impact the incident had had on her daughter. "I did something wrong, I'm in trouble," the girl reportedly told her mother that night.

"This was a child in her element... It's not long before she'll lose that and become more body conscious," her mother said.

NSW Police Detective Acting Superintendent Linda Howlett responded to the mother's concerns that "people are getting too paranoid".

"It's better to be safe than sorry," she said. "If a member of the public does see something that causes them concern, we encourage them to contact police and we will follow that up."

If you think a child or young person is at risk of harm from abuse or neglect, contact police or the Child Protection Helpline on 132 111

 

[svengali]

That is the problem.

These days a man can get into trouble for just looking at young children.

 

[johnlou]

yep so true and what ever you do , don't have a camera

That is the problem.

These days a man can get into trouble for just looking at young children.

 

[Contrarian]

One day at the Mundaring Weir, a whole lot of people had gathered 'cos once in a while when the dam overflows, it's a pretty sight. I went there and a kid was crying. I went up to him and asked him if he was lost (he was) and so I asked him where he last saw his parents, their names and what colour clothes they were wearing. The kid was scared but I managed to soothe him down and told him to hold my hand - with the intention of looking for a park ranger or adults wearing the clothes he described.

I suspect the couple who picked on me, "What the fuck do you think you're doing cobber!?". It was said in a threatening tone and the guy looked like a bikie, before I could explain another couple ran up to me and hugged their little boy and expressed their thanks. But the first couple didn't seem to buy the truth.

Fast forward 4 months later and it's Christmas and I'm meeting my godson's parents and grand parents at Point Walter for an evening tea picnic. As I approach them and my godson runs up to me, his parents tell me the park rangers just had a stranger danger alert issued 'cos some sick bastard had tried grabbing this child.

To be honest I dare not pat a little kid on the head in a cafe anymore when they give me a cheeky smile.

 

[Dallas]

I was crossing Brighton Road on the way back from the beach about 3 weeks ago. Just as I was about to cross, a mother with her 3 year old daughter decided to cross in front, and half way across the road the little girl stumbled and fell and within a split second the mother was on the other side and a car was approaching quickly. I lept across and picked her up at the same time the car slammed it's breaks on. I was worried that I'd get told off for being physically in contact with someone's kid but I couldn't have lived with myself if I'd done nothing. The mother was very grateful so no harm done, but all this paranoia is always in the back of your mind.

 

[Rochelle]

How to say it without sounding like I am not taking the child abuse and misuse seriously?.........but I do have to agree with svengali.......it is a bit over the top. Situations which used to be 'normal (Dalla's post) turn into paranoia........can I be done for because I helped somebody else's child? Not a good thing......we should keep it in perspective.


R.xxxxxxxx

 

[Happy2]

As in Geraldton over the summer a a swimming carnival A father was told to put his camera away He said he was only taking photo's of his Daughter and Stepchild But was told he may end up with pics of other children and it may upset the parents of those kids
Are we going to have official picture takers walking at all events and public beaches who we call over so a family photo can be taken?

 

[colzilla]

I like kids... Yeah! barbecued.

 

[bepp]

is that with fries or not

 

[colzilla]

There's only one type of kid I like and that's the well behaved variety.

 

[Happy2]

There's only one type of kid I like and that's the well behaved variety.

C'mon Col most capretto are fun lively Kid's '. But like you I too love Capretto But you can only eat them at under about 2mnths of age the there just young goats

 

[homer]

You want milk with that? lol...these days people are paranoia for sure, taking pics of your own kids should be A ok, the law doesn't forbid that. You can always shoo the other kids away before snapping, tell them to get the F outta the way. LoL...problem solve. You rather be a rude bastard than be labelled a pedophile.