Evening all. 

I would like to introduce myself to the forum. 

I recently found this forum whilst searching online, after recieving a conviction for a SO. I have since been dealt with for sentencing and today went to my first Probation appointment. 
I must have been lucky the day I got sentenced as I only got my community order, and didn't have SHPO imposed on me by the judge. The PPU did a visit a couple of weeks before my hearing and I found them quite scary, and very pushy into doing things. 

I find this place lots of use for info, but equally for support also. 

Hi,

I'm glad you found the forum useful and you will be in good company, as most of the active users seem to be here for SO. It's a growth industry and most probably a consequence of exposing our society to 24/7 internet pornography. The effects of which, are not yet fully understood or appreciated.

As someone who had no previous contact with the law, I was also shocked by the PPU turning up, unannounced, on my doorstep one day and wondered what I had done wrong. I later learned that this is just, what they do. It's partly about information gathering, checking for 'lifestyle indicators' of  risk, and funnily enough, about building rapport with the offender. They don't tell you that you are under no legal obligation to speak to them, since that might encourage people to just say 'no comment' to all of their intrusive questions. But, I concluded that being open with them was the best way to build a positive relationship. The same goes for probation. It doesn't always guarantee that they will treat you fairly, but hopefully they will.

Hi and welcome,
You may find some of the replies duplicating the same message which should give you comfort on that you are receiving the right supportive replies.
The only approach is to accept the situation and that you will be challenged over your past, current and possible future decisions.
Try to understand what there questions are searching for and the reasons why. Remember you are one amongst many they talk to and possibly most are in the belief they have been punished so why are they trying to add further punishment. No matter the challenges do aim to work with them to build a positive relationship.
Look at yourself, be open to educating yourself by various means to understand not only your offence properly but what skills and controls you need to develop to not only enhance your life style but to stop yourself reoffending.

Good look and know you have many supportive listeners here.

Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope is for tomorrow else what is left if you remove a mans hope.

Hi both, 

Thank you for the replies and the kind words. 

My first experience of the PPU was her ringing me, and she came around for the first visit a few days later as we pre-arranged it.  The first impression I had off the PPU was indeed very much so if I play ball they most likely will as well. 

I found her upfront, and honest, and to a certain degree blunt(which I don't mind, I would sooner have some be blunt with me than lie). 

To some degree, I am quite glad not to have a SHPO, as PPU had advised me this had been drafted with the rough contents, but the prosecutor on the day decided not to go with it, and informed the Judge that my case is unique and they believe it not to be beneficial. 

I'm pretty much going to try and turn my life around, and not dwell on the past. But instead understand what lead me to here, and then move on. 

Hi
Above all your last words are the most important. You seem to have been very lucky with not getting a SHPO so maintain that luck by showing you have accepted your offence and by acknowledging the victims created - I include family and friends as victims as they will of been affected.
By understanding what controlled your willingness to make an offence will allow you to be an ex-offender. Unfortunately you will have the label of sex-offender by those non-compassionate members of society etc but I am sure you will work through that.
Know you have support and access to the knowledge of many of us who have not been as fortunate so do keep coming back to also offer support to others.

Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope is for tomorrow else what is left if you remove a mans hope.

I am always happy to support, and offer that to other members, and new members alike. 

No crime is victimless, and Society itself is whipped up by the media and polticians to deviate away from national scandels.

I am very fortunate that I have an understanding family, and they are very supportive. 

Thank you all again for your kind words.

Hi
I appreciate your words and hope you have a successful future as a compassionate ex-offender.

Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope is for tomorrow else what is left if you remove a mans hope.