If you’re a parent, or in a position as a care provider for a child, you know that there is nothing more important then providing kids with a sense of safety and security.
Children most often are easy targets and can be the victim of almost every type of crime. Their innocence and willingness to trust an adult are the very traits that the criminal will focus on to accomplish the crime.
Teaching your children about personal safety is a difficult task because there are so many different areas that could be addressed. Simplicity is the key when talking to your kids about this issue. Give them a limited number of basic, common sense tools that they can apply if they find themselves in a scary situation. The list below is not all inclusive, but will provide you with thought starters to get you and your children talking about personal safety.
PERSONAL SAFETY:
1.) Never walk alone. Have a friend or two with and always tell a trusted adult were you are going and what route you’re taking.
2.) If there isn’t a trusted adult with you, never accept candy from a stranger, never help a stranger look for a lost pet or help with any kind of task and never go near or get in a strangers vehicle.
3.) If you are approached by a stranger and feel threatened by them, start running, as fast as you can, to the nearest trusted adult or public place where there are a lot of people. Make sure you scream and yell as you run so that you draw attention to yourself.
4.) Be a good witness. Try to remember what the person looked like, the color of their hair and eyes, or it they had a moustache or beard, maybe a scar, tattoo or other mark that looked funny. Do your best to remember what color their vehicle was, how many doors it had and any part or all of the license plate.
SEX OFFENSES:
Child sexual assault is a crime that is very difficult for children to talk about, mainly do to threats by the perpetrator if they tell, embarrassment, or the inability to clearly articulate what’s happened to them. If your child discloses that something may have happened, contact law enforcement immediately. Our department works with the CHILD’S VOICE organization and has specifically trained child forensic interviewers that are used for the follow up investigation.
We also recommend that you do not try to “interview” your child about their disclosure. Asking a child about an incident in the wrong manner can do more harm to them emotionally and could effect the out come of a criminal proceeding. We do encourage you to find out basic information from your child to ensure that there safety is addressed. Then, make sure you tell them that you will keep them safe and protect them from being hurt again.
