PRIVATE DETECTIVES Tel: 01483 200999

CHATROOM DANGER Discreet Internet monitoring and Fifth Column Investigation Tel: 0800 980 4 267

Answers Investigation have years of experience in dealing with and monitoring the problems of internet grooming and online abuse. We have brought many transgressors to order, on behalf of their employers when misuse has been suspected and when working for relations of victims. The BBC 6 o'clock news used our expertise for a ground breaking news story and we have co-operated with various authorities across the world.

There are hundreds of chatrooms available across the Web, with many "Instant Message" services. 85% of British households are now online, and ten million children from the age of 7 to 16 surf and use chat.		Many parents are familiar with chatrooms. Many are not. Many fear what they see as an unknown danger, and are unaware of their children's activities.
	Of course, most kids will come to no harm, however the anonymity that chatrooms provide also provides a cover for some of the less admirable members of society.	A survey by the NOP Family Group suggested that almost 2/3 of children have been lured into discussions about sex on the internet.
The same survey also suggests that up to one in ten children have agreed to meet a stranger they have met (through chat or messaging) in person.	It is not just children who are vulnerable. Chatrooms, Messaging and email also provide an anonymous medium for sexual harrassment.
	Train driver Andrew Lay was sentenced to six years imprisonment at Guildford Crown Court for having sex with a 13 year old girl he "groomed" on the internet	Patrick Green, who was sentenced in the UK in October 2000 after committing a series of sexual assaults on a 13 year old girl he met in a chatroom, was charged with indecent assault, unlawful sex and of possessing indecent photographs.
These charges could only be brought because he had committed a physical assault and because there was forensic evidence. While the law has recently changed, there is little protection from the psychological harm that can result.		"The defendant also communicated with Susan by e-mail, pretending to be a younger peer-age boy, and discussing sexual fantasies" (extract from Seattle Police department case no 94-293026)

Answers Investigation have increasing experience in handling problems of this nature, and have assisted the BBC in a major news story.

As a part of a client enquiry, and using a pseudo-identity of a young girl, we recently cultivated a relationship with an individual who had an interest in turning a young teenager to be his submissive victim in a sado-masochistic relationship. After several weeks of internet talk he arranged to meet her. He was fully aware of her age and circumstances. The meeting was arranged, however instead of meeting his victim he met (to his shock) with the girls "father" and one of our detectives, who subsequently interviewed him. He is no longer in our client's employ. We have reproduced a transcript of this conversation.

It is helpful to us to tackle each case separately. We may approach the issue with a preventative approach - analysing computer usage, where a user has been, who they have contacted - or by using an experienced "fifth columnist" who may set themselves up as "bait" or ally themselves to the perpetrator.

If you are concerned about any incident, past, present or future, please feel free to call us in confidence.

sites for specialist and localised service:

For enquiries in the city visit www.londoncityeye.co.uk

	For enquiries in Dorset visit www.pidorset.co.uk		For enquiries in Berkshire visit www.berkshireeye.co.uk		For enquiries in Hampshire visit www.solenteye.co.uk
	Think 21! Specialist licensed trade support site at www.think21.co.uk		Challenge 21! ID checking for the licensed trade - www.challenge21.co.uk		Teenage Detectives on their own website at www.teendetective.co.uk
	Franchise site at www.answersinvestigation.co.uk		Website for the LGBT community at www.pinkdetective.co.uk		For enquiries in Hertfordshire visit www.watfordeye.co.uk

"searching the world for answers......"

0800 980 4 267