Feb 17, 2012

Protecting your children from rapists and predators



Today nowhere is safe for a child to be on his or her own. Predators are not only men who lurk in bushes and strike at night, but individuals who are sometimes family members, teachers, and people in positions of authority. While men are usually the ones who commit crimes against children, there are also women who use children for their sick and depraved needs. 


Trust your instincts  


The first thing you and your children have to know and be reminded of constantly, is that a predator is not necessarily someone who only breaks into your house in the middle of the night and steal your belongings and rape and murder the family, but could also be:

·                    that nice amiable delivery boy who regularly delivers your groceries and have seen your children,

·                    an uncle or grandfather or cousin who is familiar with your children,

·                    a neighbor who always is kind and friendly,

·                    a complete stranger who has now surfaced and spending a lot of time in the open playing with your kids, or 

·                    someone who cuts lawns in the neighborhood and has now knocked on your door to start putting his plan into action.


Whether your children are boys or girls, they should all be talked to and told what to look out for. Most of all, they should trust their instinct. Instill in them the following mantra: 


(a)                that they should not get into anyone’s vehicle, no matter how well they know the person; not even a family member can okay this except for the parents,

(b)               they should NOT go with an uncle or male relative to look for a missing animal, no matter how persuasive the relative is and how much the child trusts him,

(c)                they should immediately report their suspicions to their parents if a male person in authority at school has tried to get them to go with him,

(d)               Do NOT be charmed by any strangers who come to the house and ask you to come with them. Child molestors are liars and con artists. They want to build up a friendship with you so that they can become a regular fixture in the house before they strike.

(e)                Report any strange behavior that a babysitter exhibits. Is she inappropriate and makes you feel uncomfortable?  

(f)                 Listen to your child who may be trying to tell you something,

(g)                Do not send your five-year-old little girl to the nearby shop; children have been abducted right from their own beds,

(h)                Talk to your children all the time and remind them to be careful,

(i)                  Make sure that whoever picks up the kids after school arrives on time and that they should not get into anyone else’s vehicle,

(j)                 Tell your child not to sit on anyone’s lap,

(k)               Let your children hear from your own lips tell grandpa and grandma that no one goes for rides in anyone’s car unless you personally say it is okay,.

(l)                  Don’t accept sweets and gifts from anyone and tell your parents if you are being approached by someone in the family who makes you feel uncomfortable.

(m)              Trust your instincts about people you meet and never spend that quarter in your wallet your mother has given you to make a phone call if you are in danger.





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