Call for reunion site warnings

Victims are warned not to reply to emails from abusers

A children's charity has issued a warning after a woman was contacted via e-mail by a teacher who she claims abused her as a child.

The advice from NCH Action For Children came as a north Wales woman told BBC Wales News Online she was contacted via a reunion website by a former school teacher who she says abused her more than 20 years ago.

As she calls for prominent warnings to be put on such sites, John Carr, an internet consultant for the children's charity, said many people were still "naive" when it came to using the internet.

"Once you put your name or anything about yourself on one of these sites, or indeed anywhere on the internet, potentially bad guys can find you and start contacting you."

The woman in question, now in her 30s, told News Online that she was using a website designed for people to get in touch with old friends, when she received an e-mail from the man she claims abused her.

"I felt physically sick, it was horrible," she said

"My fear is why he is doing this. He obviously knows what he is doing and I'm worried by his motive.

"Is he trying to trace other possible victims as well?

Too frightened to tell her parents or the police at the time, she said she had thought about going to the police more recently but wondered what her credibility would be after more than 20 years.

But despite the trauma, she managed to move on with her life and put things behind her but says the e-mail has badly set her back.

Calling for changes to reunion websites, she added: "The website I used has been wonderful in that I've been able to get back in touch with old friends again, but there is also a dark side to it.

"I think there should be some sort of warning before you enter them."

A North Wales Police spokeswoman said: "We take all complaints seriously and if the individuals did want to come forward, we would investigate the matter appropriately."