“Hey Parents, let’s learn about Dangerous Situation”-National Child Safety Council

Personal Safety: Everyone has a right to personal safety. Teach your child about these rights and the responsibility that goes with them. Help reduce your child’s safety risks.

1. Set aside time to talk to your child about dangerous people and situations.

*Talk to your child on his own age level, using words and concepts that he will understand.

*Be straightforward, yet caring.

*Never use scare tactics.

*Explain without frightening the sensitive child.

2. Listen to your child. Create an open, caring atmosphere where your child will be encouraged to talk about sensitive matters.

*In most cases, children will not report an incident where someone has approached them in a way that has made them uncomfortable.

*Often children deny any wrong-doing for fear that their parents will be angry and punish them for what has happened.

3. Never underestimate any of the fears or concerns your child may have.

*Pay close attention if someone pays unusual attention to your child.

*Let your child know that any such situations are not his fault and that he will not be punished.

*Seek professional help if needed.

*Keep a home file on your child including up to date photos and other personal information.

Dangerous People:

Children are often taught to respect and obey adults. The abductor or exploiter may take advantage of his or her position as an authoritative or family figure to disarm and seduce children.

Children can be polite and friendly but if a situation seems suspicious, they should ask these questions:

*Have I ever seen this person before?

*Do I know this person’s name?

*Do my parents know and approve of this person?

*Does this person make me feel uncomfortable?

*Does this person ask me to keep secrets?

Dangerous people can be anyone and may not always be strangers: a potential predator might be a friend’s parent, school personnel, a neighbor, a family member or a friend: it’s rarely a complete stranger.

Teach your child to never go with anyone who doesn’t know their code word: they should check with you or a trusted adult before going anywhere with anyone, even someone he knows well.

Teach your child to be wary of anyone who makes them feel uncomfortable: they should trust their intuition and act on it by running away screaming to attract attention. Practice yelling for help.

Explain that children should not be afraid of all strangers: they should be cautious only of those who pay extra attention or want something from them.

Role play: discuss possible scenarios and safe responses. Consider that abductors are now more physical in their educations.

The Lures:

Abductors use many tactics to lure children away. They appear friendly causing children to let their guard down. They may ask children for:

*Directions or assistance, pretending to be hurt.

*Help finding a lost pet.

*Help mailing letters or carrying packages to a car or into a home.

Teach your child that adults should only ask other adults for help, not children. They should be suspicious if someone they do not know:

*Calls him by name.

*Presents himself as an authoritative figure like an officer, firefighter or clergy member.

*Says that his parent is hurt or sick and has asked that the child be given a ride.

*Offers him gifts or money.

Never place your child’s name on the outside of clothing or personal items.

Know your child’s friends and their parents.

Check your child’s route to and from school: let the school know who is authorized to pick up your child. Request to be contacted if your child is absent without an excuse.

Have your child practice memorizing license plates and identifying stranger’s features comparing them to someone they know.

Increases the risk of abduction:

*Being left unattended, unkempt or neglected.

*Being from a broken home, having parents going through a divorce or separation, parents who are sexually promiscuous or a single female parent who gives trust to male friends.

*Having several siblings.

*Being starved for attention or affection.

*Being slight in build.

*Playing or traveling alone, especially at night.

*Frequenting video arcades.

*Smoking at an early age.

Missing Children Categories:

Nonfamily abduction: is the unlawful taking of a child by someone who is not a parent, relative or legal guardian. Nonfamily abduction is commonly called stranger abduction; however the term ‘stranger’ can be misleading because many children abducted and exploited by persons with whom the have had some familiarity or relationship but who are not necessarily know to their parents.

Family abduction: is the unlawful taking of a child by a parent (usually a noncustodial) or family member from the legal custody of another, usually a parent.

Runaway children: are those who voluntarily abandon parent(s) or other legal guardians.

Throwaway children: are those who are either abandoned or forced out of their homes by parents or legal guardians. They include children who are allowed to come and go as they please; children whose mothers and fathers have totally neglected their parental responsibility.

One thing common in all cases of missing children is the danger of physical and emotional injury and the threat of sexual exploitation of children who are out of lawful and caring custody. The longer children are gone from their homes, the greater the probability that:

*they will not be reunited with the family in a stable home environment.

*they will be victimized on the streets.

Child Care:

*Research the program or individual. Check references.

*Check out professional qualifications and the backgrounds of employees.

*Talk with others who utilize this individual or program.

*Watch how your child interacts with a prospective sitter.

*Ask about policies on supervision and discipline.

*Make sure there is an open invitation to drop by unannounced and that parental involvement is encouraged.

*Be specific about who may pick up or visit your child.

*Be sensitive to changes in your child’s behavior. Trust your instincts if something seems wrong, act!

Special Family Issues:

*If you and your spouse are not living together, make sure your child knows the exact days he is to spend with each parent.

*Explain to caregivers that they should not be fooled by a divorced or separated parent who says he or she has come to get the child because the other parent doesn’t want them anymore or tells other lies.

*Obtain a passport for your child. It is difficult to get a second one for the same person or to transport a child out of the country without one.

Blogger Disclosure: This information was taken directly from the pamphlet “Hey Parents: Let’s learn about Dangerous Situations” by the National Child Safety Council and I give them full credit on the information. Please contact the National Child Safety Council for more information on their programs.