Do you feel that the past two months have put your child in more stranger danger?

Question

Please lets put all other issues on one side and think about this. Due to the vast amounts of money either donated or offered in reward money, what I find so frightening is the way this could be observed by 'organised crime'. There have already been 'bogus' funds and it strikes me that the whole issue of the disappearance of Madeleine is being watched and noted. Thousands of families are going on holiday with their children and whereas before they would consider their children reasonably safe has this turn of events I mean from the money side of the issue put their children in more danger? The vast amount of money being collected is mindblowing, the way it is being spent whether true or not seems to be adding fuel to the fire, I seem to be putting this in a rather muddled way but I think a more considered and dignified approach should have been taken where the money is concerned. What do you think about this? May you all have a happy and safe holiday.

bugaboo, it really does frighten me, I have been thinking about this half the night, I had to ask the question.

Heather, no the other way around, some sick people can see a way of making money from this awful scenario. I am thinking of crowded beaches and you only have to take your eye off the ball for a few seconds for a tragedy to happen, I feel this is adding to the dangers out there.

Spawnee I take note of what you say about cotton wool and agree to a certain degree. Thank you for your answer.

Hi clairey, sorry the question seems a little garbled, I found it difficult to explain, I did not mean parents leaving their children unattended, I meant this could give criminals food for thought about raising mountains of money for the abduction or worse of a child, as it now appears (albeit unintentionally) that there is plenty of money out there to line their pockets, absolutely not the responsible parents. I like your answer, you have taken great care in safeguarding your children's safety, thank you for answering from this point of view.

Answer 1

Did you mean the McCann's situation? I think little Margaret Hill's kidnapping may be more of a problem.
There are always criminals minds out there, looking for ways to get easy money.
However, I don't think many parents are capable of hiding their own child to get money from the public. Also, think how much this publicity is costing, something few people take into consideration, when they start adding up the figures.
Very few children are stolen by strangers every year. We mustn't let one well publicised abduction make us neurotic.

Answer 2

There was a time when I would hear about someone's divorce and I'd feel sorry for what they were going through, yet completely secure in the fact that I would never be facing a similar situation. It was a little like reading about a parachute accident: That's awful! Thank god I don't jump out of planes.

Answer 3

it's simple, look after your child(ren), make sure your property is secured when you are alseep, and always stick together.

that's why we don't pay ransom in this country, all civilised countried should be the same, hence the kidnapping of Maggie because her daddy worked for a rich oil company. then again, considering how poor the people there are, no wonder they are trying to do something to feed their families, all that oil and people are still starving, not saying it's ok, but what can they do?

It's already a well known fact that this happens like you describe it, it's not a new phenomenom, you've not said anythign you shouldn't like someone else has suggested!!

Answer 4

There always have been and always will be very sick people out there - although I don't agree that parents will leave their children at risk more now to gain money.

I have two children - the eldest is the same age as Madeline. We have 'used' Madeline's disappearance as an opportunity to try and explain to my daughter what she should and shouldn't do with regards to stranger danger.

Hopefully - more people will be doing that than planning how to cash in on their child's disappearance.

Answer 5

I worry about how much over reaction we have regarding stranger danger. it so very rarely happens. I have a child and i am more concerned about how much people/state/schools etc wrap children up in cotton wool. I used to work in a school, and they cut down all the trees as a precaution in case a child climbed up and fell off! Christ, tree climbing is as much a part of most children's growing up as is having to do homework!

Answer 6

Are you suggesting that people will leave their children to gain money wise from the subsequent donations? I don't really know what your getting at!

There might be some people sick enough out there to have thought of this but I sincerely hope not.

One thing that HAS to come out of all this is people realising that leaving your kids to go out and eat is wholly unnacceptable and that needs to be made clear by the people who left her in the first place - her parents.

Answer 7

Let my just try to understand what you are saying.

You think that the large sums of money that is managed in an “undignified” manner in this case, would actually put more children in danger of abduction in the future!

To me, this conclusion does not necessarily follow. It is just possible.

How about this possibility- The unprecedented media attention and the huge man hunt and extensive public awareness would actually make criminals think twice about committing such a crime. I think this is a more probable scenario.


Take care.

Answer 8

No I don't think so because there are parents out their who DO not neglect their children. Just because they done it doesn't mean everyone else does it to. And if they had been better parents to Madeleine she would have still been here.

Answer 9

It all depends on how you look at it...Your glass could either be half empty...or half full!
The way i see it, is that more people, & children as well, are on guard today 'cos of what happened to little Madeleine.

Answer 10

Hopefully they don't cotton onto this in such a frightening way as you have..