Connections

One of the reasons I wrote more about my ex .. um .. 'friend' way after she should've been firmly ousted from my life was that on one of the message boards I belong to someone knew someone who has a 14 year old daughter who was going to run away to meet someone who had been grooming her on the net. There'd been a quarrel at home and the girl was going to go to stay with a 40 year old man she'd been chatting to over the net. Fortunately she changed her mind and came home and fortunately her parents found out what'd been going on.

Now, obviously, an adult wouldn't suggest a young girl of 14 run away to stay with him if he had the young person's interests at heart because running away to stay with someone you've been chatting to on the net is very dangerous. He'd've suggested phoning a reputable and well established chat line, the social services, the police, her school, friends or relatives.

This man had suggested running away in secret to be with him. He'd ofcourse been groomimg her by being pleasant to her and agreeing with what she said and sympathising and then when she was upset at home saying I understand so come and be with me.

Fortunately she went back home before meeting him and fortunately things are being sorted out in a manner which isn't putting her at risk.