 |
ARE THERE WAYS TO PREVENT MY CHILD FROM BEING ABDUCTED?
You can also talk to your child about ways to prevent an abduction from happening. The FBI, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) offer these eight rules for your child's safety:
1. I always check first with my parents or the person in charge before I go anywhere or get into a car, even with someone I know.
2. I always check first with my parents or a trusted adult before I accept anything from anyone, even from someone I know.
3. I always take a friend with me when I go places or play outside.
4. I know my name, address, telephone number and my parents' names.
5. I say no if someone tries to touch me or treat me in a way that makes me feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused.
6. I know that I can tell my parents or a trusted adult if I feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused.
7. It's ok to say no, and I know that there will always be someone who can help me.
8. I am strong, smart, and have the right to be safe.
OTHER HELPFUL TIPS TO HELP KEEP YOUR CHILD SAFE INCLUDE:
• Children should not have clothing, toys or gear with their name visibly displayed. An abductor will have an easier time luring your child away if they are able to use your child's name.
• Give your child a secret code word that only the family knows. Children should know they should never go anywhere with anyone unless the person knows the code word.
• Even when not being followed, children should walk against traffic on sidewalks to avoid the possibility of someone coming up from behind them. Of course, they should not take shortcuts or walk in alleyways, where there are not as many people to hear your child if s/he screams in the event of an abduction.
Predators are more likely to seek out a child that looks vulnerable. You don't want your child to be easy prey for an abductor, so empower them with confidence. Tell them to hold their head up high, act like they know where they're going and what they're doing. Doing this could make a predator pass by your child.
HOW DO I TALK TO MY CHILD?
The NCMEC recommends that parents should choose teachable moments to discuss safety skills. For instance, if a kidnapping occurs in your community, you should seize this occurrence as an opportunity to talk to your child candidly, but with reassurance. Educating your child is not about lecturing, but about having productive conversations where questions are encouraged. Teaching your child does not stop after just one conversation. Make these issues part of your daily routine. Role play potential situations, rehearse these possibilities.
The OJJDP reports that 59% of the victims involved in non-family abductions were between the ages of 15-17 and the majority of these children are female. As you give your older children more freedom, you still need to reinforce these important instructions.
Maybe you think that it can't happen to your child or that your child wouldn't walk away with an abductor. But, when we teach children to be polite and to not question adults they have no reason to scream instinctively, especially in public. Give your child a plan, so if a predator approaches them they immediately know what to do. You don't want your child to be trapped with an abductor.
|
|
|
