Hi everyone,

I hope that everyone is well and that you're all finding the friendships and support you need to aid your healing here.

I'm sorry to have to raise this serious issue but I've been growing concerned about the number of people here who are exchanging personal contact information via this site and the issues this is leading to.  This is a special site and, if used in the spirit in which it is intended, can provide invaluable support and advice to survivors from others who have struggled with similar issues, when often it is hard to find anyone who can understand and relate to what we're going through in our day-to-day lives.  The beauty of this website is that many people feel safer and more comfortable talking to others whilst remaining anonymous so that "what's said on this site, stays on this site" as it were.

Unfortunately, the very nature of this site means that there are many vulnerable members and there are some sick people in the world who use platforms such as this to prey on vulnerable people, earn their trust, and then abuse it.   This is particularly concerning where younger members are involved, who might not be as internet-savvy or worldly-wise as older members.

Of course the purpose of this site is to introduce survivors to other people who can provide support and understanding, and we all encourage each other to make friends here and become a part of the global PWP family.  That being said, perhaps it would be best to contain these friendships on this site in order to preserve the safety element and protect the most vulnerable.  Adding other members on Facebook/MySpace, giving out personal email addresses or phone numbers can lead to your location/home address being identified quite quickly by someone with less than honourable intentions and the last thing we would want on this site would be for a member to fall victim to an internet predator.

I'm not saying that no-one on this site is to be trusted, because of course this is not the case, but please think carefully before exchanging personal information with other members.  How long have you known them and how well?  Is there any real need for you to communicate outside of this site?  Don't let anyone pressure you into giving out contact information (this would be a red flag right away!) and don't ask for contact info from/give it out to another member unless you are completely, COMPLETELY sure that it's appropriate and safe.  Younger members should always ask their parents/guardians before giving out their contact info and it goes without saying that I'm not saying this to be boring, patronising or controlling, but rather to try to protect you!

If you have any concerns please don't hesitate to contact either David or another member you feel you can trust.  I'm happy to help with any queries/issues myself and I'm sure that several of the longer-established members are too.

Stay safe and take care of yourselves!

Lynsey