An anonymous mom has posted a disturbing account on a local moms’ Facebook group, detailing an incident in an Australian park yesterday where she and other moms harassed an elderly man simply because he was sitting in on the park bench.
The post, made as a warning to other local mums, outlines how the man was simply sitting in the park at Gymea while he was waiting for his grandchildren.
“I was at Old School Park in Gymea this afternoon with one of my little ones when I noticed this older man get out of his car, jump the fence by himself and sit on the bench for 30 minutes looking at the kids playing,” the post begins.
“He looked very suss without a child or a partner. I let a few of the parents know his behavior was suspicious,” she continued.
“One of the mothers walked up to him and asked if he was a pedophile. He said no, I’m waiting for my grandchildren. He didn’t make a scene, he was very quiet when he answered.
“During our whole hour we were at the park not once did he pick up the phone to call anyone. He just continued to sit there.
“Please keep an eye out for suspicious behavior,” the post ended.
The response to her post however was obviously not what she was expecting, with most moms on the Facebook group calling out her behaviour as being rude, hurtful and excessive and asking if people are not allowed to simply sit in a park and enjoy themselves anymore.
“Why didn’t you ask him if he was okay? You never know what someone is going through.”
“This is shocking behavior,” said another. “This poor man, I can’t imagine how he is feeling.”
“If you were so afraid he was a pedophile why didn’t you leave the park or call the police?” said another.
“Your behavior was awful. I’m a mom and I understand being vigilant but this is wrong. Maybe stay in your backyard if you are this excessively paranoid. You’re harming innocent people with disgusting accusations.”
“I’m so worried for my sons if this is how men are treated. You should be ashamed of yourselves.”
“I bet this wouldn’t have happened if the person was a woman,” said another.
The man’s daughter also joined the chat and thanked the mum for posting.
“You had already left the park by the time I arrived with my children. My father was distressed and shaking by the time I got there to meet him. Speaking about somebody like this and calling them a pedophile is confronting and you have upset and hurt an elderly man who was simply waiting for his family. Shame on you.”
Many of the commenters reached out to the man’s daughter to ask if he was okay, and to apologise on behalf of the women in the park.
“This is shameful,” said one commenter.
“I am so sorry, and hope your dad is okay. Please let him know that the majority of mums don’t feel this way and would not have behaved like this.”