Teh One Who Knocks
05-09-2011, 09:46 PM
Channel 9 News - Denver
DENVER - Millions of people turn to online dating websites to find love.
"I'm looking for somebody who I can settle down with, get married to, and have kids with," said Renee, 29, who asked us not to reveal her last name.
Instead of finding her soul mate, Rene says she became a victim. She was visiting the free dating website PlentyOfFish.com last month when she claims a man exposed himself without warning.
"His cam popped on and he's just sitting there masturbating in a chair with his head cut off just showing his private parts," Renee said. "It was disgusting. It made me feel so bad. I mean I felt like I was violated. Even though it was just on cam, it still shocked me just as badly as it would have if it was in person."
Renee says she emailed the website twice to complain, but no action was taken and the man she accuses of exposing himself remains an active user.
"It made me feel more of a victim when they wouldn't take down his account," Renee said. "It just made me feel like helpless."
PlentyOfFish.com claims to have more than 145 million monthly visitors.
Mike Harris, a senior investigator with the Jefferson County District Attorney's office, says a crime was committed.
"The crime would be indecent exposure because she wasn't expecting or even asking for this," Harris said. "It's just like somebody coming around the corner and there's somebody who pops out of the bushes and exposes himself. There's no difference just because it's on the internet."
According to the website uslegal.com, indecent exposure is "the crime of displaying one's genitalia to one or more other people in public view, usually with the intent to shock the unsuspecting viewer. While the crime is viewed as harmless by some, studies have shown that those who commit the crime are at risk of committing more serious crimes and being a danger to others."
The website also says "exposing oneself while in one's own house can constitute the offense of indecent exposure, as long as it is willful."
In Colorado, indecent exposure is a Class 1 misdemeanor punishable by up to 18 months in jail and a $5,000 fine.
"He invaded my living room," said Renee, who hasn't filed charges because she's afraid the police won't take her seriously.
"And this person's going to do that to so many other people," she said.
"This guy could be very dangerous," Harris said. "He's just sitting there waiting to find a victim."
According to visualeconomics.com, 20 million people in the United States visit an online dating site at least once a month. The website also says 58 percent of woman and 48 percent of men have used an online dating service.
DENVER - Millions of people turn to online dating websites to find love.
"I'm looking for somebody who I can settle down with, get married to, and have kids with," said Renee, 29, who asked us not to reveal her last name.
Instead of finding her soul mate, Rene says she became a victim. She was visiting the free dating website PlentyOfFish.com last month when she claims a man exposed himself without warning.
"His cam popped on and he's just sitting there masturbating in a chair with his head cut off just showing his private parts," Renee said. "It was disgusting. It made me feel so bad. I mean I felt like I was violated. Even though it was just on cam, it still shocked me just as badly as it would have if it was in person."
Renee says she emailed the website twice to complain, but no action was taken and the man she accuses of exposing himself remains an active user.
"It made me feel more of a victim when they wouldn't take down his account," Renee said. "It just made me feel like helpless."
PlentyOfFish.com claims to have more than 145 million monthly visitors.
Mike Harris, a senior investigator with the Jefferson County District Attorney's office, says a crime was committed.
"The crime would be indecent exposure because she wasn't expecting or even asking for this," Harris said. "It's just like somebody coming around the corner and there's somebody who pops out of the bushes and exposes himself. There's no difference just because it's on the internet."
According to the website uslegal.com, indecent exposure is "the crime of displaying one's genitalia to one or more other people in public view, usually with the intent to shock the unsuspecting viewer. While the crime is viewed as harmless by some, studies have shown that those who commit the crime are at risk of committing more serious crimes and being a danger to others."
The website also says "exposing oneself while in one's own house can constitute the offense of indecent exposure, as long as it is willful."
In Colorado, indecent exposure is a Class 1 misdemeanor punishable by up to 18 months in jail and a $5,000 fine.
"He invaded my living room," said Renee, who hasn't filed charges because she's afraid the police won't take her seriously.
"And this person's going to do that to so many other people," she said.
"This guy could be very dangerous," Harris said. "He's just sitting there waiting to find a victim."
According to visualeconomics.com, 20 million people in the United States visit an online dating site at least once a month. The website also says 58 percent of woman and 48 percent of men have used an online dating service.