Should a parent who does not molest his/her child but only threatens to do so go to prison?

This is assuming the threat to sexually molest the child was spoken to the child in a serious, threatening manner, in secret, of course, not in front of anyone but the child. I realize that under those circumstances it would be difficult to convict a parent in a court of law, but I don't want a legal opinion here, just your take on it; after all, nothing really happened, right? The child was not actually molested, only threatened with it. If it makes any difference, assume that the child is about 9 or 10 years old and a girl.

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billstickers · 36-40, M Best Comment

Prison no.Shot yes.

greenmountaingal · 70-79, F

@billstickers An answer that made me smile as I agreed with it. Thank you.

bigjohndl · 70-79, M

The mere threat would be enough to warrant an investigation by authorities. That child should be protected in any way possible.

Remember, thoughts lead to words and words lead to actions.

Salix75 · 46-50, F

uttering threats (of death or bodily harm) is illegal, so I say yes they should be charged. Whether they go to prison or not would be up to the courts

SW-User

In my opinion yes. Certainly the child should be removed from the parent's care and into a place of safety.

bigjohndl · 70-79, M

I am not sure why this would even be a question on here. If you and the child are the only ones that know about it (other than the whole SW world, now) then you must be the one that threatened the child.

greenmountaingal · 70-79, F

@bigjohndl Or the child who was threatened. My mother did this in 1954; I still react with middle of the night anxiety now and then. I have been told that I wasn't a victim because it was only a threat; I disagree, and I wanted to know if others would see it my way.

SW-User

@bigjohndl don't make assumptions....and @greenmountaingal I think you are very brave to be able to post this. Threatening to abuse a child IS abuse. I hope you find some peace in your heart x

Picklebobble2 · 56-60, M

Why on earth would ANY adult threaten THAT ? of ALL things !

I don't know about prison but i'd certainly want them checked out for their mental fitness to be ANYWHERE near children !

greenmountaingal · 70-79, F

@Picklebobble2 The "why" is explained in my featured story.

greenmountaingal · 70-79, F

Thank you, everyone, for answering. There are so many good answers here that it was hard to select a Best Answer.

thealsatian · 41-45, M

??? 😕

bijouxbroussard · F

Anyone who could even express such an idea to a child should be arrested for menacing. I'm not sure how there could be any [b]doubt[/b] about it. 😑

greenmountaingal · 70-79, F

@bijouxbroussard Thank you. I grew up in a very strange world. And I have often found that people find reasons to let abusers off the hook. I, too, have no doubt about it. A threat like this should have put the parent in prison.

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