Co-worker Is A Convicted Child Sex Offender

[Miinah101]

Hi everyone,

Really need some advice on dealing with this situation...

So to those who know me/have read my diary, I was sexually abused from 14-15 by a 17-18 year old boyfriend for a year. A couple of years ago a guy I work with was accused of sexually abusing a 13-14 year old girl while he was around 25. He managed to convince everyone we work with that he was innocent, and only pleaded guilty for a lesser sentence. He was released just before Christmas just passed, but it has now come to light that he was actually guilty.

When he came back to work our boss allowed him to work but only when the place was closed (ie, when no public was around). That worked for a little bit, but now he's working functions, general opening etc because our boss just doesn't seem bothered.

Several things sicken me. One, before his arrest he and I got along really well (I must've been late teens), as he did with everyone. Two, we employ lots of female teenagers. Three, he's being allowed to work around the public, which includes children and during functions, drunk women. Four, no one seems to give a shit.

I've worked there for almost seven years, way longer than he has, but for a while I've wanted to quit (it's a part time job when I'm home from uni) and this seems to be the last straw, but why should I be the one to leave?!

I've got to work with him tomorrow until the early hours of the morning for a function and I am sick with paranoia, fear, worry and disgust. I do not want to go to work.

The thought that he may have traumatised that girl the same way I was truly sickens me.

Without boasting, I'm one of the best workers there, I'm damned good at my job and it's convenient for me, which few other jobs would be equal in. I'm in a mind to ask my boss not to schedule me with him, but as I said, my boss doesn't want to hear about it. And even then, I don't think it's enough.

Any advice? I don't reckon I'll sleep tonight...

 

[Suzetig]

If he's working around kids he will need a clear DBS/PVG check. If he was convicted of any sexual offence relating to under 16s he'll be on the sec offenders register and will be considered what's known as a Schedule 1offrnder. Your workplace is breaking the law by allowing a schedule 1 offender to work with around children, I'd report the employer to the police anonymously and leave them to investigate.

 

[cat-lady]

I agree. I would also consider maybe anonymously leaking this fact to the local news. Then they would probably have no choice but to get rid of him and the community would also be safer because they would be made aware so they wouldn't bring their children there until he was gone.

 

[Sideways]

If the story broke in local news, that could be terribly painful for the victim, potentially bringing up issues for her that she's tried to put behind her...

 

[Neverthesame]

He managed to convince everyone we work with that he was innocent, and only pleaded guilty for a lesser sentence.

For f*cks sakes. Why do people fall for this?

No rational human being, would accept that if they were innocent.

"Yeah, sure. Ruin my entire life, so I don't have to spend as much time in a 8'×10' cell. What a great deal!" Come on.

I wouldn't want to work there either.

I feel for you. Must be miserable being the only person in the place with a brain.

 

[Suzetig]

I agree. I would also consider maybe anonymously leaking this fact to the local news.

I wouldn't do this for a number of reasons, the first being that whatever he has or hasn't done, he deserves to be tried in a court of law, not the media. He's been tried and convicted of something and there's a remedy through legal routes if he's been convicted of child abuse. The reality is no one can fully know what did or didn't happen unless they were there and the story may be less clear cut that anyone would like to think. He will also have a family, who don't deserve the media attention, nor do your coworkers or the people who use your service.

It's a difficult one, because he's served his sentence and does need to be able to put something of his life back together, but I also understand your discomfort in working near him. It may be that a change of schedule might make it easier for you while the police sort out the working with kids issue?

 

[Mit]

You should notify the police. There is a proper process and mechanism to ensure sex offenders do not work with children.

Informing the local media would be totally irresponsible. Any victim living in the area could also suffer from yet more media coverage, and it might encourage vigilantes to get involved. He may have family who could also be harmed directly, or simply by association.

This is what the police are for. They will know the case, what restrictions, if any, are in place and can deal with any breaches of orders designed to protect in the most appropriate way.

 

[EveHarrington]

@Neverthesame

Like, times like 1,000. Seriously! Spot on.

@Miinah101

I agree with calling the police. If they don't listen, keep going up the chain of command. If that doesn't work, contact a government representative.

If and only if you've exhausted all other forms of legal intervention (and no one listens and you know for sure that child protection laws are being broken) then I'd go to the media. No, it wouldn't be fair to victims but at that point you'd be saving future victims (which IMHO outweighs the concerns for existing victims------yes, a controversial view but at that point you would have already done everything to protect his victims and public exposure would be on the cops/government for not doing their job to keep other kids safe!)

 

[illusionist]

I can't stress enough how going public could cause all sorts of problems....for all we know, the ex offender may well be in therapy etc and doing well. To bring this out in the open, could force the person to ' go underground '.....which could lead to him re offending. Reporting your concerns to the police and letting them deal with things appropriately, if needed, is the best way forward.

 

[NoWhereKnowWhere]

You are not legally required to have a pvg unless you work with vulnerable people (children, elderly, etc) on your own, as in without somone to keep an eye on you. If that is the case your employer is breaking the law.

Go to citizens advice. If you go to your employer and say "working with this person makes me uncomfortable can I work with someone else" then they say no. This is them signing there own doom. Keep a note of the encounter what he said what you said.

If you have to quit your job due to the working conditions and have tried to explain to your boss and he/she still doesn't change the circumstances.....well any work tribunal will see this is your favour force your boss to rectify the situation and rehire you or if you don't want to work there anymore,give you full pay for at least 11 weeks. Sometimes other expenses too.

I know about uk employment law due to several f*cked situations I was forced to self educate. That being said Scotland and England have some differences I would go to citizens advice, they are really good and helped me loads.

 

[Gadgie]

A few years ago our council housed a convicted child abuser into our street when he came out of prison. He was moved from another part of the country, so no body knew him.

When the truth came out, all the parents with young kids were really angry, and someone told the press, and the story became big news! He was eventually relocated to somewhere else, for his own safety!

I think the law has changed since then, and the council have to inform the public, before moving someone with that kind of history into the area, (but I'm not totally sure about that?)

But it had caused a lot of distrust between those parents and the council?

 

[mary1979]

Go up the chain of command.

Your manager wont deal, maybe the next will.
And handle yourself correctly, none of this I've been here longer stuff.
The REAL stuff.

You were assaulted in the same manner as this perp assaulted others.
His presence causes your ptsd, anxiety, fears to fire up making it impossible to do your job effectively, and your manager isn't taking it seriously.
(the implication of stress leave gently pressed on as well, without a threat, might help)

Make it clear you aren't asking for anyone to be fired, just a reasonable request to not have to work with someone who traumatises you.

Whatever you do, dont go public.
None of you will have a job next week if you get that full of yourself.