By: Chris Stead

Last month we took a look at Shannon’s story regarding the start of GOTHIC. She had so much to say about her organization that we couldn’t fit it all in one article. This month we get down to some of the basic questions that you might ask if you had the opportunity.

What exactly is GOTHIC?

GOTHIC is an organization called “Goths Out To Help Internet Children” (G-O-T-H-I-C).
We track on-line predators and turn our information over to the authorities when necessary. We also research and assist parents in keeping their gothlings safe on-line.
We educate these parents and the community that being a “Goth” is NOT a negative stereotype, it’s a personal freedom, a right to exercise creativity and artistic expression in our daily lives.

Are there any groups that GOTHIC works with in order to help protect children from Internet predators?

Not at this time, but we are definitely looking at expanding and adding all types of groups to our member list. I firmly believe in the power of networking. The internet, MySpace.com, Livejournal and many other sites have made this extremely easy to do. Without these websites in place, I would never have known where to start! The internet is very powerful and very dangerous at the same time.

Do you think the media is accurately portraying the threat posed and the damage done by Internet predators?

That would be a resounding HELL NO! I think they [the media] think they are. On average, I hear of one or two stories about internet predators once a month or so in the news. It appears they tend to cover things that are BIG, but not the average cases. Internet predators are out there 24/7, preying on the world’s children and people still don’t realize how prevalent it is! It’s extremely distressing. I have a 13 year old cousin and it upsets me to no end to KNOW that she will be approached at least once by one of these vile creatures online. Parents need to make this priority #1. They may not have found weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, but they are in every neighborhood in the world when a child is online. They are called Internet Predators and their numbers rise in ranks every single day. The world needs to know this, to absorb it and understand that no-one is immune. I think this is a situation of epidemic proportions and is only going to become worse if better regulations aren’t put into place.

Personally, I think that the best TV personalities in this regard are Oprah and Montel Williams. Oprah was sexually abused and publicly speaks out on this subject as well as incorporates it into her shows quite often. Montel speaks out against predators in general, whether they are online or out in real life. He has been a huge inspiration for me. I admire his ability to remain human in his profession, to be real and to offer his keen insight to our nation’s problems. He is constantly airing shows on how to keep children safe online as well as to educate parents for signs of trouble. I hope to follow in his footsteps at a grassroots level and within the Gothic community worldwide.

How can others get involved with GOTHIC?

They can send a message or add us through MySpace at http://www.myspace.com/gothsouttohelp. We don’t have a very strict policy with regard to who can support us. Anyone can be added to our MySpace profile as a friend. This would be considered a way to “support” us. There is strength in numbers, so we hope to have a huge following and use our friend’s list to get news and updates out to far-reaching places. If someone wants to become a volunteer, there are many facets in which they can become involved in the cause. If they cannot volunteer time or effort but want to support us beyond being listed as a “friend” on our MySpace profile, one can always donate financially. There is a donation button on the site; please feel free to use it! We intend to list all people who donate on the site as recognition of their contribution. Donations are accepted in all currencies through Paypal, from $1 to any amount. *hint*hint*

Is there anything in particular that the organization is looking for at this time?

We are looking for private investigators who will volunteer for the cause, people nationwide to do intake interviews, give referrals, speak at events in their areas, teachers and faculty members that are goth-friendly, guidance counselors and other interested school or vocational counselors, therapists, police officers that are Goth friendly, etc. I understand this may sound like we are advocating Big Brother and a Police State but I assure you this is not the case. In an effort to be an informed parent and to help them learn what their child is doing online, we need to have access to computer techs that are able to find seemingly “hidden” files on the family’s computer. We would like experienced “internet researchers” who know of popular Goth websites, blogs, chatrooms, etc that they can infiltrate to nab predators. (I will offer training of course!) I will be applying for my Private Investigator’s license next year after I take the test. I feel with this credential on my resume plus the one apprehension I helped with will boost my credibility with law enforcement agencies and the public. I am very serious about this project. I see myself chipping away at online predators for the rest of my life. I have embraced it as a cross I must bear, a challenge I must undertake and a reason to keep fighting the “good fight.”