Quote Originally Posted by Andy_Faber View Post
YES, sorry rA but I would/have, and I think you would/have too (sorry I don't know if you have daughters). Not fearful, but wary. Its called profiling, everyone does it, and on many fronts. I gave my youngest daughter a massive lecture about being around 'guys with cars and shops' around Derby, and thank God I did. But I also kept a close eye on a (white) guy who frequented our local athletics club as the unofficial club photographer and seemed to take a disproportionate interest in photographing young female athletes. Sorry to say but I wouldn't and haven't given any tree lopping work to anyone without a home address or website for fear it would end up in a layby somewhere.
For the first time in a while I have to agree with Swale. I do have a daughter as it happens and of course I’ve probably handed out much the same warnings as you (not sure about the ‘cars and shops’ bit).
Yes, of course I agree we should all keep a close eye on suspicious behaviour and yes we want our children to be aware and prepared for all the dangers they may face, but my point is...that to base our reaction towards men on the basis of the behaviour of a few rapists, abusers and paed-ophiles makes no more sense than basing our reaction towards Muslims on the basis of the relatively few militant Islamists.

Interestingly...and please don’t take this as any form of excuse for ‘grooming gangs’...years ago I had a professional involvement with the victims of such gangs. The parents of those children (15/16 year olds) from a ‘disadvantaged’ area of Derby would have had neither the ability or the inclination to assume appropriate responsibility or give out the warnings/‘lectures’ you speak of. That was just my experience of course...but it was, perhaps still is, part of the problem.