Finally, cops working real crime, touching pregnant bellies

[EVT1]

usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/10/28/21213350-pennsylvania-man-charged-with-harassment-for-rubbing-pregnant-womans-stomach-cops?lite

     A Pennsylvania man was charged with harassment for allegedly hugging a pregnant woman and rubbing her stomach without her consent in what may be the first case of its kind, according to police and a legal expert.

     Richard J. Beishline, 57, went to his pregnant neighbor's trailer at about 5 p.m. on Oct. 20 in Cumberland County, according to Trooper Robert Hicks, a public information officer for the Pennsylvania State Police.
    
     While there, Beishline hugged the woman and touched her stomach against her wishes at which point she pushed him away, Hicks said. Beishline returned to his trailer, and the pregnant woman called police.


  Have to have a vague statute for this one.  Maybe he fit a profile?  Trailer park after all- good chance he was the dad

[Deleted]

Here, here! I think that was the worst part of being pregnant! I don't like strangers touching me period. My poor Aunt, who meant no harm, ended up getting an earful from me because by the time she did it I had hit my breaking point. 

[Spellbound454]

Sure...What on earth gives people the idea that they can just go up to a pregnant woman and start patting her stomach?

[Deleted]

Personally, I think it's the unborn calling out to be touched. I mean, if the little bugger wants to be petted, who is the mother really to say no? ... 

[Deleted]

Until the "unborn" is born, the "vessel" calls the shots! 

[Deleted]

Oct 29, 2013 7:57:49 GMT -5 @beerwench said:

Until the "unborn" is born, the "vessel" calls the shots! 

You aren't suggesting a woman has control over her own body are you? Shocking! 

[Deleted]

I'm a rebel! 

[Tennesseer]

I cannot imagine anyone taking such intimate liberties without direct permission.

[taz157]

When you are pregnant, people lose all common sense.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

went to his pregnant neighbor's trailer at about 5 p.m. on Oct. 20 in Cumberland County. . .Beishline hugged the woman and touched her stomach against her wishes at which point she pushed him away,


Gah, creepy.  Call me paranoid but I'd be calling the cops too if my neighbor randomly came over to touch me while pregnant.  Maybe I watch too much Dateline but I'd be seriously freaked out and wondering WTF was that all about?  

Better safe than sorry I don't want to end up dead with my baby cut out because I'd hate to be judgemental/impolite.

Not sure he should have been arrested unless there is more to story.  Definetly should get scare and talked to about personal boundaries.

[zibazinski]

I slapped someone who touched me. They got all affronted and I said I'd do it again if they tried it again. My mom was mortified and kept apologizing for me. I let her but I wasn't sorry at all. Even my young students had more class and manners. But they did ask me constantly when the baby was due!

[workpublic]

are you mad at the cops for arresting the guy? don't think they should have? what's the point of the thread?

[Deleted]

This isn't the same as my penchant for rubbing bald mens heads is it?

[zibazinski]

Only if those heads don't belong to you.

[Deleted]

Oct 29, 2013 14:50:06 GMT -5 zibazinski said:

Only if those heads don't belong to you.

uh oh...my bad?  Please don't arrest me.

[zibazinski]

[Peace Of Mind]

Oct 29, 2013 8:55:05 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

I cannot imagine anyone taking such intimate liberties without direct permission.

I agree with this but I've caught myself a few times and I'm not even a big fan of babies.  I must have heard meowing in there or something to compel me to almost do something like that.   

But how bad of a society have we become that there needs to be a law for something like that!  Who wouldn't ask first if it's ok?  But then there are people who hate hugging.     So that will probably be against the law next.     LOL!!

[Tennesseer]

Oct 29, 2013 16:43:28 GMT -5 Peace Of Mind said:

Oct 29, 2013 8:55:05 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

I cannot imagine anyone taking such intimate liberties without direct permission.

I agree with this but I've caught myself a few times and I'm not even a big fan of babies.  I must have heard meowing in there or something to compel me to almost do something like that.   

But how bad of a society have we become that there needs to be a law for something like that!  Who wouldn't ask first if it's ok?  But then there are people who hate hugging.     So that will probably be against the law next.     LOL!!

It kind of is in Tennessee public schools.  The law is still a bit murky.

Tennessee Passes Abstinence-Based “Gateway Sexual Activity” Bill 

[Angel!]

I think I must just look unapproachable.  In 3 pregnancies I've never had a random stranger try to touch my belly, except for a girl in DD's class that does it everytime she sees me.  She has tried to lift up my shirt to "see the baby" too. One time her mom was present & was very embarrassed & then told me her DD has done the same to men with a beer belly - now that would be mortifying.

I've been told a good counter technique is to rub the offender's belly.  They will probably get confused or offended, but it probably gets the point across that having random people touch your belly is uncomfortable.

[steff]

I snapped at anyone who even started reaching out to rub my belly when I was preggers.  I said the same thing to everyone...family, friends or strangers.  "If you like your hand, you will keep it away from me. I'm not a fucking buddha."

but I was one of those very cranky, only glowing because I've puked 12x's today, my clothes don't fit, my shoes don't fit, my bras don't fit, my rings don't fit, get the hell away from me, omg is it hot in here? it's hot in here right, it's not just me? I gotta puke, kinda pregnant women.  

[Peace Of Mind]

Oct 29, 2013 17:28:06 GMT -5 Angel! said:

I think I must just look unapproachable.  In 3 pregnancies I've never had a random stranger try to touch my belly, except for a girl in DD's class that does it everytime she sees me.  She has tried to lift up my shirt to "see the baby" too. One time her mom was present & was very embarrassed & then told me her DD has done the same to men with a beer belly - now that would be mortifying.

I've been told a good counter technique is to rub the offender's belly.  They will probably get confused or offended, but it probably gets the point across that having random people touch your belly is uncomfortable.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!  That is awesome!  I'm doing that with DH tonight.  Oh wait - I've already asked him before when he was having his baby.    It's about 9 years past due. 

[zibazinski]

POM!!!

[EVT1]

Oct 29, 2013 12:54:34 GMT -5 workpublic said:

are you mad at the cops for arresting the guy? don't think they should have? what's the point of the thread?

Do we really have the resources to arrest and prosecute a guy that hugged a lady and patted her tummy?

How is it harassment?  She told him to pound sand and he went away- maybe a warning would have been sufficient?   Then again maybe he is a serial tummy patter-   I have just seen people do this all my life and never thought it was criminal- annoying  I am sure- but I really doubt this person set out to 'harass' someone. 

[EVT1]

Maybe I can have some of my coworkers arrested the next time they pat me on the back or do a quick shoulder squeeze  

[Deleted]

Why are coworkers touching you?!?! SEXUAL HARASSMENT!!!!! 

[zibazinski]

Why would anyone's coworkers touch them? Eww.

[zibazinski]

No kidding. Unless they've fallen and I'm giving a hand up, I keep my hands to myself, period. Can't imagine any work setting other than patient care where touching someone is okay.

[NomoreDramaQ1015]

Then again maybe he is a serial tummy patter

Pregnancy fetish came to mind when I read the excerpt. My neighbor randomly coming over to touch my belly is really f-ing weird.