# would you report a pedophile coworker ? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 8, 2009, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-report-a-pedophile-coworker/513022 "2009-10-08T04:13:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-report-a-pedophile-coworker/513022/41 "2009-10-08T19:18:43Z")
You do have a reason to believe that, though. He’s already told you he wants to. The fact that he’s said he won’t act on his pathology as long as it’s illegal is hardly enough of a safety net to allow him unfettered access to children. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-report-a-pedophile-coworker/513022/42 "2009-10-08T19:32:24Z")
If I suspected he was acting on urges or in danger of acting on such urges, or particularly if he mentioned a particular potential victim… absolutely. If he said he had a record of it I’d check to see if he was a registered sex offender and if so I’d let people know privately. If I thought he was just full of shit and trying to be provocative I’d probably tell a supervisor because I’d see it as a potential work hazard (i.e. somebody’s going to beat the hell out of him and the company’s going to get sued). ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-report-a-pedophile-coworker/513022/43 "2009-10-08T19:37:31Z")
All pedophiles are in danger of acting on their urges. ---
**Author:** ![Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tastes_of_chocolate/32/3232_2.png) [@Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tastes_of_Chocolate)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-report-a-pedophile-coworker/513022/44 "2009-10-08T20:00:41Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > All pedophiles are in danger of acting on their urges. So is everyone that has ever wished they could beat up Fred Phelps. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-report-a-pedophile-coworker/513022/45 "2009-10-08T20:16:41Z")
I should perhaps add to my answers above that I don’t work with children and I rarely see anyone under 18 in the workplace, so there’s little to no danger of anything bad happening here at work involving minors. Thus anything without specifics would probably be discounted as hearsay. ---
**Author:** ![gurujulp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ba9def/32.png) [@gurujulp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gurujulp)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-report-a-pedophile-coworker/513022/46 "2009-10-08T20:19:04Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > Yes there is. he has told you that he would like to fuck children. That isn’t speculation. The OP stipulated that he freely admits his desires. You’re saying that if you worked at a job in which you were responsible for working with young children, and a coworker told you he wished he could rape them, you would not think that was any cause for alarm or anything worth reporting to your employer? Becaus if that’s the case, then you should be fired too. > > I care when there is a poetntial for someone to get hurt. Smoking pot does not present any danger to other people. > [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > We’re not talking about wishing something was legal in a vast generic sense, we’re talking about someone who is responsible for the care of small children telling you he would like to rape them. You’re saying this is a job he should be permitted to keep? You keep stating that he said he would like to rape children. He has said that he would like to have sex with children, and has stated that he would never act on it, [in this post](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=11484815&postcount=51). > [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > You do have a reason to believe that, though. He’s already told you he wants to. The fact that he’s said he won’t act on his pathology as long as it’s illegal is hardly enough of a safety net to allow him unfettered access to children. > [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > All pedophiles are in danger of acting on their urges. And I am in danger of stealing a million dollars cash if someone leaves it laying around. It would have to be there for a good long time, and I would be very concerned about taking it, and I might or I might not, depending on whether I thought there was a reason I could ever get caught. I probably would NOT take it, knowing, as I do, that I have stated things exactly as I am RIGHT NOW in public places, and also in personal conversations. I am not saying it to downplay the very severe risks, and as he has described himself as hetero pedo, my 7yo daughter wouldn’t be without me by her side if I thought he was within 100 yards- but then I am seldom far from her anyway, unless she is in the care of another well known and trusted adult. And I have been with her within three feet of self-identified pedos who have asked me to give her objects as gifts, as they were not allowed direct contact with children. I have politely declined, been creeped out as all hell, and wondered at the fact that they were disgusting, dirt-lined wrinkled parodies of stereotype. BUT- would I report him to the cops? Not unless he began to detail individuals in such a way as to make me think he was stalking with specific targeted fantasies. Back to the work scenario, yes, I would report him to my boss for harrassment if he said that kind of shit at work. Based on the number of criminals _I personally know_ in other fields of crime who have never been caught or suspected, and then taking a look at the sex offender registry where I live, I am CERTAIN that I have interacted with many actual offenders, both known and unknown. It is a dangerous world. ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-report-a-pedophile-coworker/513022/47 "2009-10-08T20:23:44Z")
> [@Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](#): > > So is everyone that has ever wished they could beat up Fred Phelps. Fred Phelps is a full grown adult & has a lot more protection that the average 5 year old. Especially a kid in a school/care center where said creep works. I work in an adult setting. But our sexual harrassment policy makes it quite clear that nobody should be forced to listen to inappropriate sex talk. Even something like a co-worker recounting a perfectly legal hot encounter. So I’d report the asshole & hope he got a stern talking to. In an environment with children, I’d hope he got shown the door. ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-report-a-pedophile-coworker/513022/48 "2009-10-08T20:35:16Z")
A friend of mine specialized in shock humor. One of his favorites was this, preferably said in a loud voice in a crowded restaurant: “You know what the best thing about 8-year-old girls is? From behind, they look just like 8-year-old boys.” Would the OP have tried to get my friend arrested? ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-report-a-pedophile-coworker/513022/49 "2009-10-08T20:42:04Z")
Yes, I would, without hesitation. ---
**Author:** ![kombatminipig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5ac83/32.png) [@kombatminipig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kombatminipig)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-report-a-pedophile-coworker/513022/50 "2009-10-08T20:49:01Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > We’re not talking about wishing something was legal in a vast generic sense, we’re talking about someone who is responsible for the care of small children telling you he would like to rape them. You’re saying this is a job he should be permitted to keep? Once again, it’s up to whether he acts on his instincts or not. The flaming liberal in me stipulates that he has the right to his own thoughts, and he is only accountable for his actions and nothing else. If he is working in a profession where he is in contact with children I’d advise him to find a job where he isn’t tempted to commit acts that will both harm other people, but above all himself (If he’s readily attracted to children, he’s obviously already put aside the thought that he’s doing them harm). If he’s not in a profession where he is in contact with children, then let him live his fucking life in peace, as long as he does no harm. Btw, a realistic scenario for the OP would be one of the subject’s coworkers being an avid reader of the SDMB, and reading enough to put two and two together. ---
**Author:** ![atomicbadgerrace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e7dd6/32.png) [@atomicbadgerrace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/atomicbadgerrace)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-report-a-pedophile-coworker/513022/51 "2009-10-08T20:55:26Z")
> [@Bridget\_Burke](#): > > Fred Phelps is a full grown adult & has a lot more protection that the average 5 year old. Especially a kid in a school/care center where said creep works. Absolutely irrelevant to the root issue here, which DtC summarizes as: [QUOTE=Diogenes the Cynic] You do have a reason to believe that, though. He’s already told you he wants to. The fact that he’s said he won’t act on his pathology as long as it’s illegal is hardly enough of a safety net to allow him unfettered access to children. [/QUOTE] What, are we living in Minority Report now? Sorry, but the disbelief that someone is capable of resisting their urges isn’t enough to warrant 24/7 surveillance and potential removal from their workplace, IMO. Really, what is it exactly you’d be “reporting” him for, aside from inappropriate discussion in the workplace? Or is that the angle – get him on that, and use it as an excuse to dismiss the creepy pedophile you don’t trust? ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-report-a-pedophile-coworker/513022/52 "2009-10-08T20:57:09Z")
> [@Muffin](#): > > Yes, I would, without hesitation. For what? What would you tell the cops when you (presumably) called 911? ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-report-a-pedophile-coworker/513022/53 "2009-10-08T21:29:00Z")
> [@gurujulp](#): > > You keep stating that he said he would like to rape children. He has said that he would like to have sex with children There is no difference, especially when as the OP as stated, this individual wants to “have sex with” literal infants. Pleas tell me how one can have sex with a baby without raping it. > [@](#): > > and has stated that he would never act on it An assurance which inspires no confidence whatsoever., > [@](#): > > And I am in danger of stealing a million dollars cash if someone leaves it laying around. Material greed and temptation to steal are not psychological disorders. Pedophilia is a sexual pathology, and pedophiles are _never_ safe to trust around children – especially wehn the pedophile in question has been quite brashing in stating that he doesn’t feel like there’s anything wrong with him or with raping toddlers. ---
**Author:** ![atomicbadgerrace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e7dd6/32.png) [@atomicbadgerrace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/atomicbadgerrace)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-report-a-pedophile-coworker/513022/54 "2009-10-08T21:34:19Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > An assurance which inspires no confidence whatsoever., Excellent username/post combo. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-report-a-pedophile-coworker/513022/55 "2009-10-08T21:35:22Z")
> [@atomicbadgerrace](#): > > Absolutely irrelevant to the root issue here, which DtC summarizes as: > > What, are we living in Minority Report now? Sorry, but the disbelief that someone is capable of resisting their urges isn’t enough to warrant 24/7 surveillance and potential removal from their workplace, IMO. When the “workplace” involves taking care of children, yes it damn well does. > [@](#): > > Really, what is it exactly you’d be “reporting” him for, aside from inappropriate discussion in the workplace? Or is that the angle – get him on that, and use it as an excuse to dismiss the creepy pedophile you don’t trust? I’d be reporting that someone entrusted with taking care of children has said that he’d like to rape them. It’s not fucking complicated, You keep the fucking perverts away from the children. Jesus, I can’t believe this place sometimes. ---
**Author:** ![atomicbadgerrace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e7dd6/32.png) [@atomicbadgerrace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/atomicbadgerrace)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-report-a-pedophile-coworker/513022/56 "2009-10-08T21:39:28Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > I’d be reporting that someone entrusted with taking care of children has said that he’d like to rape them. It’s not fucking complicated, You keep the fucking perverts away from the children. Jesus, I can’t believe this place sometimes. Well, I guess you mean reporting to the employer and not the police, since I don’t think _wanting_ to rape a child is a crime. So that’s all you’d say to the employer? Omitting the part about how he absolutely refuses to act on his desires? And then expecting all work history up to that point to be disregarded, so that the disgusting, creepy pedophile can be thrown on the street where he belongs? ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-report-a-pedophile-coworker/513022/57 "2009-10-08T21:40:57Z")
> [@kombatminipig](#): > > Once again, it’s up to whether he acts on his instincts or not. The flaming liberal in me stipulates that he has the right to his own thoughts, and he is only accountable for his actions and nothing else. > > If he is working in a profession where he is in contact with children I’d advise him to find a job where he isn’t tempted to commit acts that will both harm other people, but above all himself (If he’s readily attracted to children, he’s obviously already put aside the thought that he’s doing them harm). You’d “encourage” him to find another job, but you wouldn’t bother to inform his employer that he has stated he wants to rape the childrn he’s entrusted to take care of? “Whether he acts on his instincts?” So you’re willing to wait around until AFTER he’s already raped a baby (a BABY) to decide wether it’s dangerous to let someone who says he wants to rape babies take care of babies? ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-report-a-pedophile-coworker/513022/58 "2009-10-08T21:48:43Z")
Good lord. If we’re talking about a position dealing with children, then yes, you report this to the boss. Not the cops, the boss. The cops get called when someone has actually DONE something wrong. But it’s pretty much a no-brainer that the person ultimately responsible for the safety of these children should be informed when an employee states that he fantasizes about sex with children. If it’s NOT a position dealing with children, then feel free to not hang out with him anymore, and then mind your business. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-report-a-pedophile-coworker/513022/59 "2009-10-08T21:49:10Z")
> [@atomicbadgerrace](#): > > Well, I guess you mean reporting to the employer and not the police, since I don’t think _wanting_ to rape a child is a crime. All I’ve said in the whole thread is that I would report him to his employer if he worked with children. It would be inexcusable not to. > [@](#): > > So that’s all you’d say to the employer? Omitting the part about how he absolutely refuses to act on his desires? And then expecting all work history up to that point to be disregarded, so that the disgusting, creepy pedophile can be thrown on the street where he belongs? Fuck his work history (and I wouldn’t buy his “refusal to act” line for a second…neither would any employer…nor should they). He’s not safe to trust around children. The end. Are pedophiles NOT disgusting and creepy in your mind? I think just getting the animal fired would be an example of me showing my utmost restraint and kindness. ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2009, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-report-a-pedophile-coworker/513022/60 "2009-10-08T22:04:13Z")
I read through the OP several times, and nowhere in it does it state that the workplace involves contact with children. If we’re going to discuss hypotheticals, then my question to **Diogenes the Cynic** is this: if you _did not_ work in a place that involves contact with children, what would you do if a co-worker informed you that he was a pedophile? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-report-a-pedophile-coworker/513022.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-report-a-pedophile-coworker/513022.md?page=4)