I'll ignore the anecdote because I'm not sure how it really fits in with what you're on about. If you want to generalise some kind of lesson from it though then let me know and I'll respond to it.
As for the top paragraph: the paedos need punishing. There's no two ways about that. But prevention is cheaper than the cure, and if by understanding how this comes about and reducing stigma about talking about it (at least in therapy/with the GP if nothing else) then a lot less kids are likely to be harmed. I don't want any more victims of this shit but I feel as though I have the foresight to consider how we can actually reduce the numbers of kids getting harmed. Lynching people after they've done it prevents fuck all.
Totally agree. I read a book called vigilantes in the summer all about people taking the law into their own hands. It was really worrying about what lengths people go to
to get revenge.
This whole story about poor woodward and white etc is unbelievable awful for the no doubt many other players involved. I would like to think that measures are much tighter now than they ever have been, and working in a school I realise that safeguarding is a massive issue. A very local headmaster recently was sent down for using a spy pen to watch kids (and staff) in the toilet recently near where I live. I almost sent my kids to that school and have several mates whos kids are there. Such awful stuff.