How should a well-meaning male act so as not to be accused of attempt of child-snatching?

Question

Recently a 2 or 3 year old little girl wandered off in a park and in the few minutes it took for her carers to notice her disappearance, she had fallen into a pond and drowned.

However 3 different men who were also walking in the park later said they had noticed the toddler wandering about, but did nothing because they were afraid of being accused of pedophilia or attempting to kidnap the tot.

In a situation like this, how should a man act, so as to offer a possible life-saving help without being accused of bad intentions?

Answer 1

in a situation like that I think its important to approach the little girl, no matter what other people might think. Don't grab at her, don't look like you're nervous. Immediately look for a police man or security guard or whatever, instead of wandering around with her.

Answer 2

A friend of mine doesn't even shower at the pool for fear of accusations.

As for me, I once saw a kid stood on six loose bricks balanced against a tree, with a bread knife in his hand, stretching up, trying to saw off a branch above his head!  All I did was tell him to go home and give back the knife.

His mother was gunning for me, and said it was none of my business!

Fine, I'll just call Social Services next time.

Answer 3

The man can call out to the child, "Where's your Mommy? Do you see your Mommy? You'd better go get your Mommy." (If the child says they are with Daddy or Grandma, then obviously the man would say, "Go get Grandma" or whatever.)

Most children at that point would turn around and run for a parent. The man could follow at a distance to make sure the child was reunited with a parent. Without laying a hand on the child and with all the words being directed at reuniting the child with a parent, the man should not be accused of pedophilia or kidnapping.  

Answer 4

I read this too and I think is is awful that all men are stereotyped in this way. I have asked my husband and he said he would take the child out of immediate danger and then involve other (preferably female) people in the situation. Isn't it sad? This is a great question- have a star.

Answer 5

I would probably keep an eye on her from a suitable distance, and when a female or females happended by ask them to watch the child while looking for the carer. Also calling on the mobile saying who one is, and where, what circumstances would protect while waiting for authorities to arrive.

Once when needing to "supervise" my four year old niece's visit to a loo I stationed myself across the hall from the entrance--close enough to greet her when she came back out but not close enough to have women wonder why I was lurking about.

Answer 6

tsk tsk on parents/care-givers who don't pay attention!!!  Someone should!

If I was stupid enough to not pay attention to my child and he/she wandered off and someone in the area noticed I would hope that person would try to get my attention (yell, "hey, someone's kid took off") and let me know that my child has run off.  

In the case where the tot fell into a pond, I would say if you saw it about to happen you should immediately without fear help the poor child!  When you go to help the child that alone will draw attention.  As a parent I would be thankful that someone wasn't afraid to help, I would certainly not think the worse of the person who helped.  Besides if the parent were to try and accuse the helper of bad intentions it could be pointed out that they were being negligent parents!

Answer 7

I'm afraid my answer is decidedly more self-centric than others, but I imagine this could be how many youths (young males--not sure it still applies to just males these days) think. If I see a child, I'll assume that they are near to their carer, or someone else (most probably female) will ask them how they are and if they are okay. If a child were in imminent danger, I will involve myself, but only then.

Answer 8

Intentions as a pedophile are hearsay.

You cant get arrested for watching children play in a public place, nor called out on a public forum

Making you out as a pedophile is slander and libel, without any concrete proof.

I wouldnt touch her in the usa.....

I would let her die or whatever, too much possibility for a long court case...got to protect my own butt.....h**l....its called....natural selection......

If i was in my home country in Europe, I would stop her, and call the police. In my country, you can actually be charged with a crime for NOT helping.

Answer 9

I think that it's a sad state of the world when people can't help little children obviously lost for fear of being accused of being up to something sinister.  I'd try to get the child's attention and make sure they didn't wander further and phone the police.

Answer 10

I would use my mobile 'phone to dial the emergency number (depending on country) and inform the police and tell them what I was doing (i.e. rescue).  That makes it all official and recorded, so there will be no question of wrongdoing.