Ok, I’ll admit it, I’m a little bit slow with pop culture, and for this reason, I had never heard about To Catch a Predator until last week. While watching episodes that people had uploaded onto youtube, I was appalled. It wasn’t just the grown men obscenely chatting to supposed children, but the premise of the show itself that seems rather disturbing.
To Catch a Predator, for those of you that haven’t had the privilege (or not) of watching it, is a TV show that catches would-be child predators by making them believe that they’re going to a house to meet a young boy or girl. When they arrive at the house, they are intercepted by Chris Hansen, from Dateline, questioned as to why they were there, and, when they try to explain, are presented with the transcripts from the conversations they had with the supposed child. After that, they are arrested by police as they leave the house – and all of this is on national TV.
While I definitely can’t defend the actions of the men involved, I can’t exactly praise those at perverted justice or the producers of the show either. See, exposing people on national TV hardly seems like a rational, let alone effective way to catch child predators. People who wish to harm children may be aware of the show, and though it may be enough to stop them from looking for children on the internet, it doesn’t mean they won’t harm a child they’ve met through other means. I It may not even be enough to stop them from soliciting children on the internet, many of the men on the show had seen the program before or were at least aware of it and they still went to the house.
One of the things that bothers me the most about the show is the assumptions it makes about child molesters. The assumptions made in the show are that all child predators are male, and they all utilize the internet to find children, and that most often, the victims are female. Of course, none of these assumptions are true, what about the story about the teacher who ran away to Mexico with a 13 year old student? The victim was not female and the teacher was not male. http://www.ketv.com/news/15927603/detail.html
What about the many children who are sexually assaulted by neighbors, by parents, by family friends, by other relatives.
What I want to know is, of the children that are assaulted, what percentage of that is done by people met online, versus the percentage done by people the child already knows?
It seems to me, that although the show is ‘good tv’ – not intellectually, but because people will watch it, it does very little to prevent children from being harmed. Perhaps a better route would be to inform parents and teens how they can be more careful on the internet, and how to deal with a situation if one pops up.
These types of topics, never receive a lot of vote’s, they are somewhat disturbing, blog’s like these have the tendency to push individuals into a thinking mode and worse.
They involve a lot of social ignorance and contradiction, like telling a porn fairytale to a 4 year old. Some have trouble to step outside of the comfort zone of their own illusion.
This is why I love these type of blogs which pushes reality in front of the eyeballs.
Great blog!
First, I agree that it is gross TV. But maybe by making these humiliations public, they can deter some who might use the internet to find their prey. I mean, we tell kids that people lie on the internet,and that it is impossible to know who you are REALLY chatting with...the same is true for the child molesters. The show publicizes the possibility of a sting operation. I don't have any evidence that this kind of programming actually deters anyone, but I'm sure that is the justification the producers use for airing such a train wreck.
Also, they CAN'T catch the other permutations of child molestation through this format. It just isn't possible, because in teacher-student molestation and family molestation, there is no intermediary, as there is in internet cases (the internet being the intermediary). Those cases in which the perp and the victim know each other are VERY hard to intercept.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
great points. I understand your view--the media is just sensationalizing things for ratings, but is it worth deterring these perverts? Sexual crimes have a high rate of repeated offenders. One episode even has a repeat offender! He was on the show before and got caught AND HE DID IT AGAIN! lmao, that's just stupid.
I don't think it matters that they're only catching those from the internet. I don't think people are shallow or stupid enough to think that that's the only way predators happen upon children.
The Internet is one way, a very big way, that people can take advantage of children. That show, while created [mostly] for entertainment purposes, catches and may help dissuade predators from taking advantage of children on the Internet.
You say most of the people have seen or heard of the show... so what? They're idiots. How do you know that there aren't people so dissuaded and afraid of Dateline (or other organizations that do similar things) embarrassing the hell out of them that they don't act on their Internet fantasies/crimes?
Frankly, I say expose the bastards. I have no sympathy for anyone who harms (or tries to harm or has intent to harm) a child in any way. Embarrass the hell out of them. Put them on national TV so they can be seen by their friends, their family, and their co-workers. Put their pictures on pervertedjustice.com so everyone knows who they are. I have zero sympathy.
No, it doesn't catch neighbors or babysitters. But it exposes people who use one outlet for harming children, and that's honorable in itself. My cousins, who've happened upon the show, don't go into public chatrooms anymore because they've seen the show. That's honorable, as well.
Whether they're catching people, arresting them, or just embarrassing them, Dateline is spreading awareness of something everyone should already be aware of.
Why do people get so mad about that?
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You are the Voice of the Childwen of the Revowution! [Toulouse, Moulin Rouge]
It would be better TV if they gave those sick perverted scumbags the execution they richly deserve right on the spot. Society would be a safer and better place too.
I know that the format used by Dateline does not catch all the child molestors but that hardly seems like a valid argument against it. If it catches some child molesters then society is improved.
I have only watched the show once and I found it kind of monotonous so I probably won't tune it again. But I thought it was a good example of progressive thinking. The basic motivation for making the show is profit. I think that using the profit incentive to improve society by removing predators is rather brilliant. Children are safer and most of the tab for enforcement that would not otherwise be happening is picked up by advertisers.
It is a win for the children, a win for Dateline, a win for the Network, a win for the people who enjoy watching, a win for the advertisers and a win for society. The only loser is the predator and that is a good thing.
:dances: Go you!
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You are the Voice of the Childwen of the Revowution! [Toulouse, Moulin Rouge]
While I agree that it is good to get protect the children, I also feel that this is not fair. Even though these pedafiles certainly have intent to commit a crime, I don't think you can convict them on that. Yes I realize that they believe they are talking to an underage child, but fact is that they aren't. I know this doesn't make much sense but hear me out.
Say you believe the speed limit on a road is 40 mph and you are knowingly going 60 mph a gross violation of the law. But in reality let's say you just missed the sign which had shown the speed limit to be 65 mph. Are you guilty?
That is a ridiculous analogy.
We're not talking about speed limits. We're talking about children.
For one thing, if you think the speed limit is forty but you're knowingly and willingly going sixty, you're guilty whether it's by the law or not. No, you can't get a ticket for it, but you're doing something that you know is wrong.
If someone was plotting to kill you; bought the weapon, made the plan, dug your grave; you'd want them arrested, right? And you'd want them convicted, right?
Yeah. You would.
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You are the Voice of the Childwen of the Revowution! [Toulouse, Moulin Rouge]
Hardly ridiculous. In fact the murder one is more of a stretch considering that would actually have a victim. There is an imaginary victim in these cases. Plus you act like speed limits serve no purpose. They are actually set to prevent serious injury and death, as I'm sure you know. I understand that it is very different, but I was just trying to make the point that they technically didn't commit any act against a minor. I realize that if they show up at the supposed child's house this indicates their potential for danger to society and children, but there will be many more ways for determining someone's potential for danger within the next 25 years. If a scientist could look into your brain and tell a group of jurors that you have you are genetically predispositioned to committing violent acts would you want to be held to protect society?
I'm not trying to let them off, as they should be monitored to protect others but let's face it our legal system runs largely on precedence, and convicting someone on intention is not something I would like to make a precedent.
By the way, none of what you mentioned regarding attempted murder would actually be considered substantial evidence to even charge someone with attempted murder.
Progressive thinking is rather an intelligent (out of the box) approach to figure out what causes individuals to be drawn into such behavior.
Instead of fighting the (so called) sickness of male perversion one should take a moment of time and THINK PROGRESSIVE!
What lies underneath it all, what is it, how does it come to life, were is the root, what can be done to shift this occurrence and many more aspects regarding horny males.
Those males aren’t necessarily molesters, they are caught between horny teens and their own hornyness with the law on top of it all!
Some teens can hardly wait to become “18teen” in order to start a career in porn, allowing them to cash in for their first scene, having already experienced everything they are going to be paid for, makes it no more than an easy and extremely fast way to earn amazing amounts of cash in no time, having only to put aside their self-esteem they already lost in a gangbang with their friends while 15teen!
Next in line….
“18 year old Sandy lost her whale thong over to the intruders”
People need to get real!
Males are perverts, but then again all pussy is pushed right into their faces like a dripping ice cream waiting to be licked!
Those males caught have been lured in, this is as sick as the so called intension they had in mind.
How progressive of an arrest and mind tv is that? Hypocritical and cheap display of ignorance to what’s boiling down below.
I remember that police officer that offered a girl to provide with a blowjob in order to skip the fine! Just like Bill and many others the approach on dealing with these matters is wrong.
I did not have sex with that woman, she only gave me an amazing blowjob! Lol
Waykie waykie
I take it you are not yet a parent. When you have children you might feel differently. Even if they did not before it happened, I am sure that every parent who has experienced the reality of having their child molested feels very differently.
It really does not matter what sick perversion motivates these people. What matters is that if they lack the self-control to keep from turning their perversion from thoughts into actions that they need to be removed from society.
Well, I understand your reasoning and the way you might feel about my comment.
Child = victim / molester = criminal!
There is something wrong with this reflection of reality.
What is a child or molester in 2008?
It is important to be in tune with all realities involving these sensitive issues, this might open up some sort of deeper insight or bigger picture of what societies are struggling and dealing with.
Many teens (boys/girls) in today’s societies all over the world are becoming more and more confused. Today’s realities are not all that much reflecting the bright and sunny future to build a prosperous joyful life upon.
Because of various reasons (mainly money issues) a serious lack of parental affection has risen in regard to their own and others offspring. Yet only these two examples cause significant amounts of mixed emotions to enter their minds increasing the amount of anxiety.
In a first stage it mainly narrows down their dreams and more important their views upon the range of choices they can make, all this within an atmosphere of pressure which degeniusses them.
Their emotional state is affected in such degree many suffer from psycho traumatic illnesses. Some youngsters get so confused they simply give up life while others release their anger making the news whenever bullets start flying around in schools, still, everyone is stunned! How can this be?
Stress is the reason why! These days, some ten year olds are suffering from burn out symptoms!
Well, to stay on topic, kids aren’t doing well these days, many youngsters suffer from traumatic experiences which are formed inside their own familial nest, to cope with this, some reach out for any attention they can find, Face book and My space being fine examples of platforms which are much alive amongst youngsters. Not receiving any attention in their own nest, many have or find different platforms in order to get some (affection) attention.
To grasp what this means in an overall bigger social picture, is to understand this is only the beginning of something bigger.
It is perfectly normal parents would criticize what I brought up before, but then again, parents should know what’s to be found on the net, they should dig until they all start to throw up from disgust, only to ask themselves one question.
How can we solve this!?
There is a need to solve the way, societies solve their problems!
Parents and adults who never question, only freak out and judge by pointing out a finger to what is arising to surface, will not grow a backbone upon their kids!
To break this cycle, one needs to see both sides of the coin and how they took form! Right?
To scream anger out on top of the law is one way, only this way will bring no meaningful solutions.
“It really does not matter what sick perversion motivates these people”
Well, it is of the upmost matter and importance to figure out where lies the root of motivations which lead people to resort in showing behavior which doesn’t seem to fit social acceptance!
Intelligent gap management is what’s really needed to be put in place, to solve situations like these!
An intelligent approach in order to fill in the “gap” which is socially not understood, in order to achieve this, there is a need to bring together the right data in order to create a realistic view of what is really going on in our society.
To manage this, is to open up to an understanding of the fact that having our hands around the throats of so called molesters is a poor approach which will bring no relief whatsoever.
Maybe it is not a bad idea, for all to question what is socially ignored blindly about these issues.
http://www.progressiveu.org/192423-the-problem-with-males-part-two
The same thing a child molestor has always been. A predator. A mad dog that ought to be destroyed.
I have no idea what the rest of that psycobabble was all about but I got the impression you were making excuses for the inexcusable.
Well now, we better mind our own impressions and get creative instead.
To put on national TV a so called sick-perverted-mad-dog-molester is not really an intelligent approach.
Those kind of (arrests) actions inflict waves of trauma which backlash, yet again upon society!
Mom, why is dad on TV being arrested!?
The way it is being handled throughout media destroys entire lives while bringing much more trauma.
Apart from the mother which might become suicidal, kids will hardly bear what will come their way when daddy hits the news like that!
This kind of television is the best recipe to create a school shooting!
How smart of an approach or setting to capture predators is that?
Many 15 year old teens these days are sexually active with older guys, they actually prefer them over the boys their own age, them having no clue whatsoever of what romance might imply while many amongst them mainly focus on their first anal experience in order to brag about it amongst friends!
Many so called molesters are in their early 20nies, therefore a very popular segment for 15 year olds teens to target upon because they have experience.
Some teens, because of random chit chat within their group of female friends, chose to lose their virginity with a total stranger in order to exclude the fact of being emotionally hurt, humiliated and roughly dumped right after the deed. A deed performed by a clumsy boyfriend who pretends to love her deeply just to find his way into take her virginity without caring to use any protection.
In order to get it done and over with, many of these girls lie upon their age claiming to be older, which they easily can achieve by the use of makeup and some well placed dirty talk in order to trigger the right response of males. Some cyber acts puts the right mood to bring in the devil.
All this is taking place while parents of course only get to see a child which is obedient and well educated. Of course they are entitled to scream rape and mad dog if they suddenly create some awareness about it, but they might also consider to open up their minds around the various “REAL” realities which are coming along with these situations.
Definitions of a molester should be reviewed in accordance to the realities which are present in today’s societies.
To put a 21year old male in jail, of which many more will follow, clearly reflect they are actually nothing more than victims themselves of a blind ignorance which are lingering (just below accepted realities) in societies itself.
One has to be blind not to see some 15y old teens out there, are pushing boundaries for “themselves” not having the slightest interest in guys their own age.
I do (not) see those girls to be “child”, and of course they are according to law!
But, their behavior and sexual needs are something they apparently don’t control very well and surely don’t wish to keep like a Dollish (good girl) present for the one’s that might eventually treat them like a cheap porn star.
The lack of proper approach of young boys driven by sexual frustration pushes many teen girls straight into the direction of older segments.
Like I said before, it is boiling down there and this is not exactly some psychobabble to make excuses for the inexcusable, many can find themselves a mirror in order to have a glimpse of that, not me!
My ex got raped by her own father at the age of seven, wanted to sell her after!
To spend two years with someone who has gone through the experience is just enough to finally truly accept and believe this really happened and took place!
It only takes one to turn the other way to (grasp) notice what is taking place, all those around freaking out Big Time clearly have their heads sticking in the sand, or at the sky waiting for a glimpse of Mr. Right in the sky!
All this ignorance while some have an upcoming porn star right under their own roof!
A no nonsense educational program which includes ALL aspects of sexuality, might be a good start to get teens to shift away their focus off and away from older generations.
To tackle molesters, a different kind of awareness needs to be created around the content of material which is to be found on the net!
Most people have absolutely no clue what is at reach and available on the net, yet, again many are sticking their heads in the sand not willing to see or accept those realities either.
Time to face what’s happening and coming, it’s going to get even more worse to swallow in time to come.
Now for some real “Psychobabble”
What is taking place now, is nothing more than a mass scale female rapture of the sexual intimidation and oppression they endure, many are picking up a fight against the structure of this suppression which sickens their lives and future. The structure of religions have during centuries shamefully turned females into Dolls of pleasure.
Females are now messing up the brains of the one’s that carry so called morals, all hypocrites which support these structures will one by one lose that mask which hides that frustrated perversion which they can no longer hide behind closed doors, their horny looks already betray their true nature and thoughts.
Quite amazingly, the form in which all of this is taking place, projects all of the social weaknesses on a silver screen for all to see.
More and more girls are lowering themselves down to the levels of their opposite gender. The hurt and frustration which will flow out of it all while hitting males is in their core is going to be massif.
The funny part is, women regardless of what painful events will accompany this fight to gain balance will prevail over religion and gender until the last is freed from the shackles of oppression.
Those are the 2008 children which make their way and since there are two parts of the same coin, one can fight against or chose to support this amazing shift for the better of all.
What I write down are actually not ideas or impressions, it are no more than unveiled disturbances of thoughts which are taking place behind the eyeballs of many, if you wish some graphic display of “Psychobabble”, check out the web, it’s full of graphic impressions, make sure not to tumble down the rabbit whole, not like myself, it can be painful down there.
Be wise, don’t think, be!
You are aware that the show is mainly about guys wanting to have sex with pre-teens?
We are not talking about sexually active 15 year olds (who should not be having sex with adults either).
These perverts are targeting children, not teenagers.
Well, yet again, I understand your reasoning and the way you might feel about my comment.
LET’S BECOME PROGRESSIVE FOR A CHANGE...
What lies underneath it all?
What is it?
How does it come to life?
Where is the root?
What can be done to shift this occurrence and many more aspects regarding horny males?
Maybe societies are dealing with an unknown extremely horny virus which overnight makes males to randomly find themselves waking up perverted!
Please do open up my awareness upon this topic, any of your thoughts will be much appreciated.
http://www.progressiveu.org/192829-the-problem-with-males
http://www.progressiveu.org/205615-the-problem-with-woman
Those kind of (arrests) actions inflict waves of trauma which backlash, yet again upon society!
Mom, why is dad on TV being arrested!?
The arrests are not live. If dad gets arrested, chances are, his wife is going to find out he's been arrested. Chances are, she's going to weasel out of him why he was arrested. She won't be watching To Catch A Predator one day and all of a sudden see her husband. Preposterous.
Some teens, because of random chit chat within their group of female friends, chose to lose their virginity with a total stranger in order to exclude the fact of being emotionally hurt, humiliated and roughly dumped right after the deed. A deed performed by a clumsy boyfriend who pretends to love her deeply just to find his way into take her virginity without caring to use any protection.
In order to get it done and over with, many of these girls lie upon their age claiming to be older, which they easily can achieve by the use of makeup and some well placed dirty talk in order to trigger the right response of males. Some cyber acts puts the right mood to bring in the devil.
You are blaming victims. That is so ridiculous. This little girls are targeted and it's their fault?! Talk to anyone who's been raped, Wombels. They will probably spit on you after hearing that. [see http://progressiveu.org/003838-the-girl-who-cried-rape-or-in-this-case-d... for more on my opinion]
Your entire comment is blaming the victim. I can't believe anyone can blame a fifteen year old girl for being taken advantage of by a grown man. Makes me sick to think anyone would think that. Gross.
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You are the Voice of the Childwen of the Revowution! [Toulouse, Moulin Rouge]
Josef Fritzl was on a holiday in Thailand, but it didn’t ring a bell!
That’s what I refer to as being cheer ignorance and bad management!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKH4tuMQt0w&feature=related
If one put’s two and 2 together, it is easy to figure out how to nail them.
So, what does it tell us?
Fill in the “gap”
There are quite a few reasons which make our societies are dealing with child abuse in various ways.
Actually it is a widespread window of different circumstances which lead individuals to resort in abusing children, the main root leads to the same source either way you turn it.
Bad management is keeping the window open for things to get worse, although it might bring relief, arrests are good and of course necessary, but they won’t bring solace since the root is being left ignored!
The root is to be found in admitting to ourselves more and more individuals are turning away from the concept and idea “I believe (fear) God”, the lack of monitoring and guiding this shift is making many to create realities which don’t fit and harm societies.
In simple words (some) “people are losing it”
It will get much worse if this effect is not being tackled effectively!
The innocence of children is their biggest weakness, male minds that have grown sick are attracted towards one thing only, the purity of children. To understand this one needs to understand, once a mind has grow sick, it will never ever cure again.
Jail sentences or physiological guidance are “never” going to be a solution to root this sick behavior out!
Social structural systems which supports laws, supposed to deal with these issues are a complete hoax, because they don’t follow up on realities which are arising while they don’t seem to have a single clue of what they are dealing with.
To handle these issues in a law system which itself is out dated, is asking for more trouble to arises from where things are already boiling, making more minds to become affected.
There are too many ethical problems which surround these sensitive issues from a social point of view.
In order to bring change, there is a need to put out the fire below, which is actually far more easy then most are willing to admit.
To close the window upon these sick minds, is an intelligent way to proceed!
By your definition and argument, it would be okay for a disgusting male who acts out on his disgusting fantasies to act on them if a fifteen year old girl was flirting with him.
By your definition, the only reason these guys are going to the Dateline house is because they're getting lured in.
So therefore, by your definition, it's okay for the guy to go and rape a little girl if she lured him in.
It's not okay for guys to be perverts. "All pussy is pushed right into their faces?" Get real, Wombels. That's ridiculous. (And inappropriate...) So it's okay for me to steal because the merchandise is "pushed right into my face?" Is it okay to kill because the weapon is in my hand and the person I hate is "pushed right into my face?"
I don't think I've ever had less respect for an opinion.
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You are the Voice of the Childwen of the Revowution! [Toulouse, Moulin Rouge]
The reason why some cannot relate to what I write is normal, most people are boxed up in a state of narrow minded thought.
Guys are perverts because they are being educated in acting as such, this process of indoctrination starts at an early age, while what seems obvious to some is like not existent to others.
Meaning, some are ignorant while others are aware of the cause and root which is responsible for perversion to arise!
One only has to take a glimpse at the ways of education in the Muslim world in order to understand how indoctrination affects everything within and between sexes.
In the western world this same kind of indoctrination is been spread around throughout media channels which affects the minds of those who are still lingering in the animal world.
Desire is men’s greatest enemy, while exactly that which is been triggered with no other means than to exploit for various reasons.
There is a need to deal with the animal minds amongst, to guide them in order to become a human that can obtain self-reflection along the course of its life.
Home sapiens sapiens!
People don’t evolve at the same level, it’s not synchronized yet!
To have or gain insight upon all I have written above and above that, it’s important to understand some amongst walk around inside a human body while they are in fact nothing more than animals who don’t have the ability for self-reflection or self-realization.
Manny amongst carry the brain of an animal, they are homo sapiens, not homo sapiens sapiens!
This is why it’s so easy to get them animals all hooked upon God TV, that 24/24 hypnotizing tool which does the thinking for them, in order to box all the many up in a state of narrow minded thought.
This dummying device is used and controlled by those responsible for animals to walk out of line!
Strange pervert or misunderstood?
http://jezebel.com/375599/can-a-second+grader-be-a-sexual-harasser