Fears trick-or-treat website could become paedophiles’ paradise
Geelong and Surf Coast households are registering as trick-or-treat ‘friendly’ online, but some people say the move could lead children down a very frightening path. See how many people have registered in your suburb.
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A HALLOWEEN register showcasing all of the trick-or-treat ‘friendly’ households in Geelong and the Surf Coast has some parents spooked, over fears the online tool could turn into a paedophiles’ paradise.
The website, trickortreatme.com, allows users worldwide to register their household as trick-or-treat ‘friendly’, in a bid to inform people when and where to doorknock for candy in their neighbourhood on October 31.
A map of coloured pumpkin icons is used to mark the registered ‘friendly’ households, but some parents fear the tool — which campaigns for safety — could in fact lead children down a frightening path.
More than 60 households across Geelong, the Surf Coast and the Bellarine are listed on the site’s public map.
St Albans Park father and Halloween enthusiast Bill Hartshorne has registered his house on the site.
However he admitted the tool had its “pros and cons”.
“It’s not like every person who registers their house has a police check or a working with children check,” Mr Hartshorne said.
“So it can be an amazing opportunity for paedophiles to go — ‘hey let’s promote our house and bring the kids straight to us’.
“You just don’t know whose door you’re knocking on.”
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But Mr Hartshorne said the risk would not stop his 12-year-old son from joining in the Halloween spirit, with some precautions.
“Unfortunately in this day and age if you worry about every single thing that could happen — you won’t be able to leave your house,” he said.
“You have to put your faith in that majority of people are good natured.
“There’s definitely safety in numbers — if you’re trick-or-treating you should be in a group and do it with a parent or adult.
“I also say — don’t take lollies unless they are sealed — just in case they could be contaminated or poisoned.”
Households in Geelong’s north dominated the trick-or-treating register, as Corio has the most amount of ‘friendly’ households listed at 11, followed by nine in Hamlyn Heights and six in Norlane.
Safety Tips:
1. Never trick or treat alone
2. Children aged 12 years and under should be under adult supervision
3. Never go inside a house
4. Stick to well lit streets and footpaths
5. Remain visible by wearing glow sticks or using a torch
Western Victoria MP Stuart Grimley said the website reinforced the need for a public sex offender register.
“Parents have a right to know if a convicted child sex offender is living close to their kids and Halloween is a great example of why,” Mr Grimley said. “I would hope trickortreatme.com is being used by genuine users but as we know we can’t ever be sure.
“My advice to parents is if you choose to use this website, still remain vigilant, ensure a responsible adult is with your kids, send kids in groups and make sure they know their way around the neighbourhood and any safe houses if you aren’t accompanying them.”
According to the map, about 10 households in the region had teal-coloured pumpkin icons which marked them as “allergy-friendly”.
Other households were also reportedly putting blue-coloured pumpkins out the front of their properties, which meant they were “autism-friendly”.
Geelong police Sergeant Kylie Power advised parents to establish a safe route for their children and stay within familiar surroundings when trick-or-treating.
The Geelong Advertiser contacted trickortreatme.com but did not receive a response.
TRICK OR TREAT FRIENDLY HOUSEHOLDS:
Corio: 11
Hamlyn Heights: 9
Norlane: 6
Bannockburn: 6
Belmont: 5
Lara: 4
Bell Park: 3
Bell Post Hill: 3
Whittington: 3
Highton: 3
Grovedale: 2
Leopold: 2
Rippleside: 1
Geelong West: 1
East Geelong: 1
St Albans Park: 1
Armstrong Creek: 1
Torquay: 1
Portarlington: 1
Originally published as Fears trick-or-treat website could become paedophiles’ paradise