If You See a Father Holding His Child’s Hand, Call the Cops!

[Mattchew]

Whilst I understand that the intention behind the advertisement is noble to say the least, I find that it does not convey it properly.
I disagree. The ad does not clearly spell that out.

I'd suggest that if you look at that ad, and you see a father holding his child's hand as they're crossing the street....

the scenario cited throughout this thread...

if that's what you see, you're making the most insanely massive leap.

furthermore, its irresponsible to imply the isnt the fathers hand because the fact remains that a large part of child molestation is committed by fathers.

the undeniable fact remains if any father in this thread saw an adult man who they did not know holding their 5 year old's hand they would not NEED a phone number because they'd take their concerns straight to the guy.

show me someone who says im wrong on that count, and i'll show you a liar.

 

[Mattchew]

Well, no kidding you would pray someone notices your child behaving strangely with someone. But you don't need an ad to tell you what one of those situations look like.

Here's where you wrong. its the SINGLE thing we seems to disagree about in the end.

The ad isn't even SAYING 'this is what abuse looks like'.

Its saying 'sometimes holding hands is just holding hands.... and other times there might be something else there. it could take any number of forms, but if you think there could be, you're doing a disservice to the child by keep your mouth shut.'

in other words, this is a CHILD advocacy ad... not a 'look out for raping fathers' ad.

I've not read of any angry mobs roaming Virginia searching for people holding their child's hand as a result of this campaign...

WHY!?!?!?!

Because people have the ability to reason.

As do all of you. Give yourself a bit more credit, as THINKING PEOPLE.

You all KNOW that this is not an anti-parent or and anti-father ad, and you are no less safe as a parent with this ad in your paper or on your tv...

However, your child MIGHT be only the slightest tiniest bit more safe... MIGHT. But having dealt with children who are victims of rape, a bit more safe is worth it.

 

[Spade]

I've not read of any angry mobs roaming Virginia searching for people holding their child's hand as a result of this campaign...

WHY!?!?!?!

Because people have the ability to reason.

As do all of you. Give yourself a bit more credit, as THINKING PEOPLE.

You all KNOW that this is not an anti-parent or and anti-father ad, and you are no less safe as a parent with this ad in your paper or on your tv...

Not to break into your diatribe, but this is the Internet. A comic book forum at that, and the Community Forum no less. We know. Nobody here is taking this seriously. We're just poking fun at something we find a grain of humor in. In the same vein that there isn't "angry mobs roaming Virginia" there isn't an online petition going on or some serious interlude about how the pic gives mixed messages (and only a slight one present at that).

Chill.

 

[Mattchew]

for the record, angry dads...

i didn't see a father holding his child's hand when I looked at that picture.

the reason i've been so annoyed by the rants in this thread is that when I see that picture it just doesn't tell the story of a father and his child.

YOU have assumed that's the narrative.

If you thought someone was raping your child, you would take the advice of this ad and act.

That is ALL this ad asks of the viewer. Anything more YOU bring to it is your own assumptions.

 

[Manic]

Because people have the ability to reason.

As do all of you. Give yourself a bit more credit, as THINKING PEOPLE.

I think that's the root of this whole argument. You obviously have more faith (even if just a little) in the human race as a thinking, reasoning group than some of us do. A few of us think there are people out there who will call that number by misunderstanding its message. That's what the writer of that blog thought, too-- someone is going to report an innocent dad just because he's holding his daughter's hand.

You think people are reasonable enough to know the difference. That there are thinking people in this world. And there are. We're just afraid of the idiots.

 

[Mattchew]

Not to break into your diatribe, but this is the Internet. A comic book forum at that, and the Community Forum no less. We know. Nobody here is taking this seriously. We're just poking fun at something we find a grain of humor in. In the same vein that there isn't "angry mobs roaming Virginia" there isn't an online petition going on or some serious interlude about how the pic gives mixed messages (and only a slight one present at that).

Chill.

i get you, but only to a point.

i don't find this topic even moderately cute, and to be glib about it...

for a father to be glib about it is shameful in my book.

Comic book forum or not.

 

[Dope Nose]

I've not read of any angry mobs roaming Virginia searching for people holding their child's hand as a result of this campaign...

WHY!?!?!?!

Because people have the ability to reason.

As do all of you. Give yourself a bit more credit, as THINKING PEOPLE.

You all KNOW that this is not an anti-parent or and anti-father ad, and you are no less safe as a parent with this ad in your paper or on your tv...

from the article linked on the page that Morg linked to in his original post -

Groups that have formed to help people falsely accused of abuse are opposed to the campaign. Dean Tong, who operates a Web site that offers help to people who are falsely accused of abuse, said the campaign has the potential to tarnish the reputation of innocent people and hurt children.

"For every case of genuine abuse, there are two or three that are unfounded witch hunts," said Tong, a Florida forensic consultant who has written books on the topic of false accusations.

 

[KALEL114]

Here's where you wrong. its the SINGLE thing we seems to disagree about in the end.

The ad isn't even SAYING 'this is what abuse looks like'.

Its saying 'sometimes holding hands is just holding hands.... and other times there might be something else there. it could take any number of forms, but if you think there could be, you're doing a disservice to the child by keep your mouth shut.'

in other words, this is a CHILD advocacy ad... not a 'look out for raping fathers' ad.

I've not read of any angry mobs roaming Virginia searching for people holding their child's hand as a result of this campaign...

WHY!?!?!?!

Because people have the ability to reason.

As do all of you. Give yourself a bit more credit, as THINKING PEOPLE.

You all KNOW that this is not an anti-parent or and anti-father ad, and you are no less safe as a parent with this ad in your paper or on your tv...

However, your child MIGHT be only the slightest tiniest bit more safe... MIGHT. But having dealt with children who are victims of rape, a bit more safe is worth it.

This is the root of the issue. It's so subjective. I am walking down the street with my daughter. Some random person sees me and says, "you know, I don't like how that looks". What happens next? In your professional opinion. Do they call the number and report me? Ok then what? The police come and ask me questions in front of my daughter and neighbors? Then what happens?

 

[Mattchew]

you're all missing the point of the ad.

if there is any decency in the world, your children won't be touched by this issue... but reality is the issue exists.

not ONE person has replied to my comments about what they would think if an some strange man was holding your child's hand.

why?

because you know it would create a feeling in you that is in fact THE SAME feeling the ad is referencing...

and NONE of you would be dumb enough to sit on that feeling. that dpesnt mean you'd call a number. it simply means you wouldn't let it happen twice... and you know that is true.

that being true is proof that this simple message of this ad (if something doesn't seem right, act) has merit.

 

[Dope Nose]

not ONE person has replied to my comments about what they would think if an some strange man was holding your child's hand.

why?

because that's not what the article is about.

Rebecca Odor, who directs the sexual and domestic violence prevention division for the state Department of Health, said officials hope to reach people who might feel uncomfortable reporting a relative or acquaintance to law enforcers.

 

[KALEL114]

you're all missing the point of the ad.

if there is any decency in the world, your children won't be touched by this issue... but reality is the issue exists.

not ONE person has replied to my comments about what they would think if an some strange man was holding your child's hand.

why?

because you know it would create a feeling in you that is in fact THE SAME feeling the ad is referencing...

and NONE of you would be dumb enough to sit on that feeling.

And there is the nexxt part of the issue. The ad does not properly get it's point across and can be misconstrewed easily. You are giving the ad too much credit in it's ability to get it's point across. Your "comment" has no merit in the conversation, because the ad does not create that "feeling" you think it does. But, I will answer it anyways. Would I be angry if someone I did not know was holding my childs hand, yes. Would I confront them? Yes. Why because I know that is my daughter and that she is with a stranger.

 

[Mattchew]

because that's not what the article is about.

dude. read.

everyone in this thread is saying its a bad ad since dads cant cross the street holding their child's hand.

since a child's hand is not exclusively planted in his or her fathers hand 24 hours a day I suggested the scenario that a father MIGHT feel the very feelings of discomfort referenced in this ad if they saw another man holding their child's hand.

i THEN suggested that any decent father wouldn't ignore those feelings.

i THEN pointed out that taking ANY action, even as little as to say 'hey im uncomfortable with you holding my kid's hand' is VALIDATING the ad, since the ad's message is to take action when you see something that doesn't seem right.

if you cant follow that logic, I'm sorry.

 

[Spider-Fan]

Well, it doesn't shock me they would put out an ad like this.

This is stupid!

Even if that is not the message, that is what the message appears to be, thus making the ad suck!

 

[Mattchew]

And there is the nexxt part of the issue. The ad does not properly get it's point across and can be misconstrewed easily. You are giving the ad too much credit in it's ability to get it's point across. Your "comment" has no merit in the conversation, because the ad does not create that "feeling" you think it does. But, I will answer it anyways. Would I be angry if someone I did not know was holding my childs hand, yes. Would I confront them? Yes. Why because I know that is my daughter and that she is with a stranger.

all i can tell you with out getting to personal is that sometimes parents don't see all. sometimes it takes the intuition of the random person like a teacher or a neighbor to notice things.

you can deny that all you want, but the good thing for you is, nobody's gonna look out for your kid any less... and I can tell you personally, that can make a difference.

 

[Sloth7d]

Honestly, I doubt you're going to noticed if a kid is abused by how they hold hands with their father in public. Though if you do, report it. I think the people who made this ad needs to send a message to school teachers and administrators. Its highly more likely they'd notice something.

 

[Mattchew]

honestly guys... i might be a little to emotionally close to this topic.

i get no guy wants to be targeted for something they're not guilty of.

i'd just suggest that kids today don't live in a safe world, and parents are only the first line of defense against this type of thing.

i dont see that ad as even remotely offensive or harmful to fathers, but maybe im missing something.

i would suggest that MAYBE fathers might rethink this issue and be in favor of erring on the side of protecting children.

 

[Dope Nose]

dude. read.

everyone in this thread is saying its a bad ad since dads cant cross the street holding their child's hand.

since a child's hand is not exclusively planted in his or her fathers hand 24 hours a day I suggested the scenario that a father MIGHT feel the very feelings of discomfort referenced in this ad if they saw another man holding their child's hand.

i THEN suggested that any decent father wouldn't ignore those feelings.

i THEN pointed out that taking ANY action, even as little as to say 'hey im uncomfortable with you holding my kid's hand' is VALIDATING the ad, since the ad's message is to take action when you see something that doesn't seem right.

if you cant follow that logic, I'm sorry.

dude, you read. as several people have attempted to point out to you no one here is advocating child abuse. we all feel it's wrong so climb down off your high horse and quit acting like a sanctimonious tool.

the concern isn't whether or not a father will be able to hold his child's hand. as pointed out in the article by the forensic consultant whom I quoted earlier, the concern is that the campaign could potentially lead to false accusations which not only ruin the reputation of the parent involved but also harm the child.

 

[Spider-Kid]

That's pretty ******ed.

Thats DAMN ******ed.

 

[Danger Mouse]

All the ad needs is to be reworded. That's it. No one here is against the ad in principle. Just how the message was sent across.

 

[Sloth7d]

I still say the school teachers need to be more alert on things. If a kid has a bruise one day, becomes socially awkward for no reason, stops eating, stops tyalking, ect. they need to ask questions. Pay attention. If anyone has the best chance to pick up on if a kid is abused its them.

 

[Ring Deacon]

But who are we to say if some guy looks strange with a child? I know many strange looking people that have kids that look nothing like them, should I call the cops on them? Or how about this. My son has a thing now where he holds your face to give you a kiss, should I be arested because my son wants to kiss someone like he saw me kiss my wife. Oh and what about the fact that he and a few other kids I know have a thing for going into your pocket to see if you have money? Should i go to jail because someone thinks i want my son to feel me up? Mattchew you are missing the point others are trying to make too. There will always be someone who sees something different then what is really there. And those people will abuse this number and fathers and mothers wil be questioned needlessly and waist the police's time.

 

[Dangerous]

I hate Peados.

 

[Mattchew]

^there i think we can all agree.