new idea for a site

i have had a new idea for a website, and i am not sure if its a good idea, i am also looking for 'feature' ideas

the idea is to make a site where ex-criminals and victims can talk to each other, so victims can ask why they were targeted, and ex-criminals can give security advice that would have prevented them from targeting their victim

it could also help current criminals think about what they are doing

i would probebly have to make information about the victims and criminals private, also there would be a degree of control to disussions, simply because things like discussing 'how to' instructions, and also insulting messages would have to be well maintained.

i had the idea when i come across an article where an ex-criminal was talking talking to a victim of a recent crime

is it a good idea ? and do you have any ideas of your own i can add ??

thank you

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Wow ... interesting idea ... not something I would touch with a ten-foot pole tho! Good luck with it.

its different, its not been done yet ( from what i can see ) , there is a market for advertising and it helps people, - something that will probebly interest victims and crimials alike

i would be interested if you have any ideas though

cheers

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Hm, sounds interesting. I strong recommend speaking to a lawyer about legal and privacy aspects. If someone was using the site to target victims or an ex-criminal was attacked, you would be in serious legal trouble.

i think i did not explain the site idea properly, erm... the ex-criminals would not be the one who did the crime to the victim, these would be ex-criminals who used to do the crime that the victim was a victim of.

for example car crime, - how can you prevent it next time

i have always thorght the best security advice comes from the people that used to be a criminal - and yes, it would be a case of only i have the contact details of members ( as it is on most forums ) - i will also get rid of features like private messaging, and make a point of having no contact information for myself.

the only law that would affect my site is the 'freedom of information act' - obviously, details will be kept within the database, but i will take up advice on stopping hacking attempts to retrieve the information, - unless i put that info on a seperate database - if its possible ??

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No, I understand, I think... but what if a supposed ex-criminal is actually using the site to find a new target or person?

Exactly! There are too many legal implications and "what-ifs" ... it seems like a really good project, but you better get yourself a really good lawyer and some really good security.

i am with you on the security, but not with how are they going to trace someone down to a specific home address ? - is no different to signing up to anything, you are releasing information and it can be used without your knowledge

for example, its nothing different to typing in a username on a forum, if you use that username on any other forum, 9 times out of 10 it can be traced back to a users interests ( put the username into search engines ) and at worst, an email address, and if they had one, a website too , then send them untold amount of emails,,,

the only idea i have is to have a warning not to use a username they have used elsewhere

( example: http://search.msn.co.uk/results.aspx...018&FORM=REDIR )

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All I'll say is at least talk to a lawyer. There's no harm in that, and like I said, if a criminal circumvents your security measures, there's going to be hell to pay.

I absolutely agree with Ryan and everyone else who have said talk to a Lawyer.

You can warn your users not to reuse a user name, but I did a google search of yours, and yours (saltedm8) showed up on phpbb, Nora's Kitchen, Myspace,cabletv,computersplus,jamie Oliver. It may not seem like much but you know very well there are those who like a challenge. You will just have to be very, very careful.

ok, i will talk to someone about the legal implecations, but waht features do you think might be useful ?

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Good, now your possible site.

1. Crime prevention tips - how to -could be writen by former criminals
2. Victim assistance programs - contact info - how they help
3. You could have former criminals, victims and the police write informational articles to post.
4. you might just want to check with the various groups to see what they would find helpful. although, getting victims and criminals on the same page might prove a little difficult.

In any case, Good luck. Look forward to seeing what you come up with.

some good ideas, thanks

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I think your problem would be getting real ex-cons. My point being that anyone could sign up, tick the ¨I am an ex-criminal box¨ and start giving advice.

I saw this nice show on TV where they had an ex-burgler who would test peoples houses. He would walk down the street and target one. They would approach the people and asked if they wanted to participate. The guy would then break in and burgle there house. They would then add some security and the guy would try again. Unless they were foolish enough to leave a window open he would fail.

While I like your idea, I think you will struggle to find actual ex-cons who sound like they would be the mainstay of your community.

First I would start of by getting your local rehabilitation center interested and let them find the ex-crims 4 you, you could target prisons but be careful. Victims would be the harder part as they are protected by the police etc. I have a trainee solicitor with me how has agreed to read and post a response the next post from me will be his post

First off I think the idea is great, if difficult to achieve. I can not claim to be any sort of expert of internet or related law but i do have some basic advice for you.
1. you will need to exclude your self from liability, (off hand I think you can do this - don't think theres anything in there that you can not exclude your self from.)
2. In order to do this I suggest you look at the terms for sites like Match.com and facebook, as they will have wanted to protect themselves from a lot of the same things.
3 I really don't think legally your in that much of a problem situation as others appear to have suggested, just make sure your agreement is well written (get a lawyer if possible to write it.) I would also suggest you use an agreement system like nvidia drivers, so you are forced to read through it before you agree.
4. The real problem you will have are finding genuine ex-criminals. . . .this is where things get potentially more difficult. In your agreement you must make sure you say that some members may be posing as ex-criminals. The site take no responsibility for such members/activities.
5. looking at police sites might help you for a general advice section, a lot like the "don't show off your mobile" campaign.
6. In short don't let legal fears get in your way, good luck.

Putting criminals and targets togther again! I think you would have a load of legal issues.

Neat idea, but you would need the stamina of a bull to go through all the red tape and legalities.

Good luck, though.

wow, alot to think about, i will definetly do some research into the matter, might be a little while before i can safely make the site, but i am very grateful for your advice and will get it running once i have all the kinks worked out

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