Vigilantes are much feared and hated by non-offending pedophiles as well as by offenders. Why?

Here's my take on people who go online posing as underage people to 'expose pedos'.

1) You're probably actually exposing ephebophiles rather than pedophiles...

2) There's a case for saying this is entrapment in some jurisdictions.

3) That said, >

> I too am worried about anyone who talks sexually online or arranges to meet for sexual purposes a person they believe to be underage. Everyone should be concerned.

4) It is an offence in England, at least, to do either of the above so reporting a person who does those things >

> seems legit to me, even where the 'victim' is fictional. There is good reason to suppose a fictional victim might otherwise have been a real one, and I believe in prevention.

5) By far the best way of responding when a person sexually messages someone they believe to be >

> seems legit to me, even where the 'victim' is fictional. There is good reason to suppose a fictional victim might otherwise have been a real one, and I believe in prevention.

5) By far the best way of responding when a person sexually messages someone they believe to be >

> underage, is to get that person toward support, instead of getting them to the point where they commit an offence. Far less damage that way, if they can be helped.

6) Admittedly, not everyone can be helped and someone who hasn't (yet) offended can't be >

> judicially compelled to engage with prevention efforts, or "get help" as the antis say. I do understand why the pedo-hunters feel they have to get to the point of an actual offence being committed so the police can arrest, or a potential offender may simply disappear into the >

> night (perhaps to victimise an actual child). All the same I think there should be a focus on finding ways to intervene at this stage rather than, in effect, commissioning an offence.

7) If someone goes ahead and arranges to meet or sends sexual messages then the only >

> reason for taking video is as documentation for police eyes only. I cannot think of any reasonable justification for live streaming or making the video public. You risk harming some entirely innocent party or of exposing an offender to highly unpredictable risks (including >

> suicide and assault by third parties). Not only that you're taking other risks with the lives of their family, their friends, their children or young relatives and so on. Not to mention effects on the investigation and any potential trial. 'Hunters' cannot ever control for >

> these risks in a way that makes public sharing wise or ethical.

8) Finally, sexual abuse, grooming and exploitation as they happen in the real world are not entertainment, and they're not a fair or moral way to get clicks and status. If you want to help, support charities >

> that engage with victims of CSA and/or with offenders (like @CirclesUk) or, if your heart is set on online detection work, then reach potential offenders and get them engaged with support from @virpeds or professionals. THAT would be a contribution, and it would be BRAVE. ||

This content was removed from Twitter in 2020 because the author's account was suspended.

the p word is a collection of 322 articles, blogs, podcasts and threads in the voices of pedophiles and others who oppose adult child sexual contact and sexual exploitation of children. Despite our mainstream views, this content is frequently removed from social media or blog sites because openly discussing pedophile attractions or avowing them are not tolerated. Our side of the conversation continues here.

editor at the p word net | Except where stated, all images are AI and do not depict real people. | Download the whole site.

privilege is not a helpful framework

an obituary for a gay man

coming out to a world that hates pedophiles

ethan edwards

Perhaps some of my readers like the concept of 'privilege', as heard notably in 'white privilege' and 'male privilege'. In the interest of a productive dialog, let me start with some things I do believe.

leonard johnston

I don't think of myself as gay. Their vibrant culture is not mine. And yet, their stories are my stories.

gary gibson

Earlier this year I did an interview for an article in The Sun, not realizing the impact it would have on our lives.

Perhaps some of my readers like the concept of 'privilege', as heard notably in 'white privilege' and 'male privilege'. In the interest of a productive dialog, let me start with some things I do believe.

I don't think of myself as gay. Their vibrant culture is not mine. And yet, their stories are my stories.

Earlier this year I did an interview for an article in The Sun, not realizing the impact it would have on our lives.