KolonelKlink
TS Member
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Theme Park Worldwide
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Spookle15
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Big Thunder Mountain
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This is the sort of thing that doesn't sit well with me at all. These people are now becoming internet vigilantes and we all know that works out well.
They know no more than we do, yet they talk as if they have some god-given right to point fingers and pass judgement and further more sentence people.
They can't acknowledge any "victims" because at the moment... there are no "victims".... there are twitter complaints and "alleged victims". There hasn't been a court case, there haven't been papers produced.... there has been absolutely nothing of a criminal nature made public that is lawful.
This isn't about choosing sides or who is right or wrong, this is just what happens in this country with cases. You are innocent until proven guilty. And there are processes that have to be followed. People on twitter and I also think social media in general don't understand that. They'd rather hear about something on Monday, pass judgement on Tuesday morning and by Tuesday evening throw someone in jail.
It doesn't matter if person Z abused 20 girls all on the same day..... it's alleged abuse until we are told otherwise. Until Shawn is told otherwise. He can't comment on things that are being said...... OTHER PEOPLE should not be allowed to comment when he can't. On his channel. Multiple times. Naming naming, peddling stories as if they were proven facts. It's going to damage future court cases if it gets to that. With the best will in the world, they are not facts. Sometimes it's the same people who now in my mind are trolling, because I see the same faces on youtube, instagram, facebook and twitter and they are just going over and over, and of course interacting with new people each time who want to hear more of the juicy details..... which one person is more than happy to provide because they just so happen to be friends with several of the alleged victims..... (yes, I do doubt that claim).
What's he supposed to do, sit there and let the comments roll in (and we know some people, like I mentioned before, don't give a stuff about any alleged victims, they're there to watch him burn), while he can not say anything?
He can't actually defend himself in this, because he can't comment.
Are people too stupid to realise this?
If he breaks away from the usual TPWW posts and defends the racism comments......"Hey, Shawn why don't you say something about your rapist friends, you commented about that racist message you made..... why aren't you saying anything about all the girls who you knew were being abused..... why aren't you saying anything Shawn... why aren't you supporting those girls.... why, why why why?"
I've said it before..... he stops TPWW..... he's hiding, he's guilty. He doesn't stop TPWW.....how dare you carry on as normal.
He's obviously a stronger person than me, because I would be sick with all the worry over this, especially if I knew I had done nothing wrong. People have made a very sad decision for less serious events in their lives than this. If he is innocent in all of this, I just hope he gets a good lawyer because there are people out there who are going to need their own.
Skyscraper
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Nemesis
Absolutely spot on there. Some people, or should I say trolls, see something like this happening and wade in purely to damage the person's reputation for the fun of it, giving no thought to the facts (or the lack of them due to the investigation being new). Shaun could disable the YouTube comments for now but that would cause an avalanche on his Facebook/Twitter, plus it wouldn't be fair on those genuine fans who comment purely about each video. He can't win.
KolonelKlink
TS Member
I wasn’t going to make any further comment - and this really will be my last post on this topic - but I think, respectfully, you’re giving an overly simplistic view of the situation.
If, in a corporate environment, let’s say, serious allegations had been made about members of a team and their team leader also faced questions about their knowledge and handling of said allegations, they would probably all be suspended pending whatever inquiry and investigation work was deemed necessary.
Obviously in the case we’re talking about, there is no such structure and no-one to order anyone to do anything in a one-man-band setup. However a choice could be made, just like in the corporate world, to say:
“It’s important that the right thing is not only done but is seen to be done, and we protect the brand we’ve built up through hard graft over many years, so while we understandably can’t comment on the claims at this point, what we can do is step back for the time being in the hope of a swift resolution, at which point we can carry on making a product that people enjoy without a cloud hanging over us.”
Haters gonna hate, so if the channel was temporarily suspended, who cares if people would think anyone is “hiding” or “guilty”? These claims would be disproved or otherwise in the very process that you rightly suggest is in jeopardy because of some of the comments appearing on TPWW’s feeds.
I have no doubt that the decision was made to go to Alton Towers for legitimate reasons: the channel will have lost a lot of revenue through the pandemic and many fans (most of whom are probably completely unaware of the allegations) were eager to see that content. However, the optics aren’t great, to say the least - and I’m not entirely sure the priority at this point should be whether Shawn can or can’t “win”.
Vicky
TS Member
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- Oblivion
I'm hoping that now a lot more people are aware of the harrasment that goes on within the theme park community, the amount of activity might reduce due to people being afraid of being outed.
It's something I've known about for a while, almost accepted it, I suppose. Growing up as a young woman, you know there are men who are creepy who you have to try and avoid, often older men coming on to younger women. Sadly it isn't just an issue within the theme park community, though I don't think I know a female enthusiast who hasn't been harrassed, sadly.
Hopefully some of the alleged victims will report incidents to police, but I understand if they don't. Having experienced sexually violence myself, reporting to the police was petrifying and humiliating, although they did support me.
I found it intriguing that the TPWW Twitter account posted that they had reported the allegations to the police? It just seemed odd, as they were against individuals, none of them Shaun, so he wouldn't be reporting false allegations about himself and TPWW isn't an organisation.
If the police wanted to speak to the accused, then they would make contact with them.
Hopefully those affected can find some peace and continue to enjoy theme parks.
It's something I've known about for a while, almost accepted it, I suppose. Growing up as a young woman, you know there are men who are creepy who you have to try and avoid, often older men coming on to younger women. Sadly it isn't just an issue within the theme park community, though I don't think I know a female enthusiast who hasn't been harrassed, sadly.
Hopefully some of the alleged victims will report incidents to police, but I understand if they don't. Having experienced sexually violence myself, reporting to the police was petrifying and humiliating, although they did support me.
I found it intriguing that the TPWW Twitter account posted that they had reported the allegations to the police? It just seemed odd, as they were against individuals, none of them Shaun, so he wouldn't be reporting false allegations about himself and TPWW isn't an organisation.
If the police wanted to speak to the accused, then they would make contact with them.
Hopefully those affected can find some peace and continue to enjoy theme parks.
Spookle15
TS Member
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- Big Thunder Mountain
I completely agree, this whole thing is far more complicated and as you say, in another environment there would be procedures in place that would have to be followed and rightly so. And those procedures (suspension etc) would not necessarily equal guilt or innocence, it would just be part of the course.
My point is simply from the perspective of a lot of people.... it matters to them greatly whether they are those trying to bring him down whatever their motive, or those who genuinely don't know what to think, what his next move will be. And some people will judge his next move to either show guilt or innocence. And those convinced of his guilt, I believe are actually going to make it (because it's gone beyond accusing now in some cases), incredibly difficult for him to come back from this, even if it his innocent.
I personally find that very unfair. I actually do wish he would make another statement, trying to at least explain to people reason A) B) and C) of why he can't say this, that and the other. Any maybe explain why he is continuing with TPWW.
It might just quieten some of the lesser voices down.
SuperMuscleMan
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Colossus
I would like to throw this into the pot for you to mull over those who say wait:
I was working at a wedding and the photographer was a bit odd. Something did not sit right with me but I let it pass off.
9 months later I find he was convicted and placed in prison because he had hardcore child porn on his computer and had approached young girls. Why does this matter you may ask... Well he was charged by the police prior to the wedding I was at but the law you all talk about 'not guilty until proven' protected him.
He had carried on without anyone knowing where he was exposed to 100s of children who often are in the bridal suite with the bride in very little.
Now the 30+ couples had to check their children after finding out they had been exposed to this. The day was tarnished as well as the photos.
This is why I'm so furious TPWW are acting like it does not matter and are carrying on. Who knows who's at risk while the police do their thing.
I was working at a wedding and the photographer was a bit odd. Something did not sit right with me but I let it pass off.
9 months later I find he was convicted and placed in prison because he had hardcore child porn on his computer and had approached young girls. Why does this matter you may ask... Well he was charged by the police prior to the wedding I was at but the law you all talk about 'not guilty until proven' protected him.
He had carried on without anyone knowing where he was exposed to 100s of children who often are in the bridal suite with the bride in very little.
Now the 30+ couples had to check their children after finding out they had been exposed to this. The day was tarnished as well as the photos.
This is why I'm so furious TPWW are acting like it does not matter and are carrying on. Who knows who's at risk while the police do their thing.
pluk
TS Member
I think your first point explains your second. Anyone who knows of any incident like this should report it to the police, not as a victim obviously, but as a third party or someone who is effectively a witness even if not in the physical sense. But to sit on that information and do nothing leaves others vulnerable to to the perpetrators and leaves the police with a big gap in their intelligence. Even if the victim is ultimately uncooperative that information could be hugely valuable to police and enable significant safeguarding to be put in place.
Them having reported it once they were made aware is an indication to me they've done exactly the right thing.
What ever the outcome of the investigation is I truly think that all vloggers should not be able to message fans privately. Obviously no one would stick to this but to avoid this happening in the future that’s the first easiest solution. Then from then on it’s how do you keep it under control and make sure history don’t repeat itself. End of the day Shaun whatever you think of him has gone the completely wrong way about this I don’t understand how hard it is to just stay out of the limelight for a few weeks to let this die down. Unlike most of us me including he hasn’t got to worry about paying bills making mortgage payments basic day to day living. The income he generates funds his lifestyle which is a good thing but if that’s all it funds then there’s no excuse to not step back and let it cool down. Obviously people will say that’s harsh or being jealous but unfortunately it’s just life. To protect your brand that you have built up you need to understand and respect the situation. Going about and carrying on like nothing has happened hasn’t helped and just made more people annoyed. I hope this proves a vital life lesson in the future and I truly hope this is a wake up call to actually tackle what is a serious problem.
pluk
TS Member
That's just silly.
Would this of happened if that was in place?.
Islander
TS Member
Without putting words in pluk's mouth, silly from the point of view of how in the fresh hell would you ever police it?!?!
It’s impossible to police unfortunately as many things on paper definitely good idea but to put it in place is a nightmare.
No proof that I’d seen, people had asked for the CRN and no reply other than his copy paste reply.
pluk
TS Member
Yes, of course it would, because a predator is a predator and will find a way to engage vulnerable people.
Are you suggesting that theme park bloggers and vloggers are inherently a risk to society? So much so they should have restrictions on them that would pretty much stop them functioning in the modern world?
The opposite of innocent until proven guilty that is.
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