The last thing parents want to have to think about is the fact that there are sick people in the world, that will do perverted things to children. They think that if they keep their child with them or family, no harm will ever come to them.
But, a child has to go to school, to the babysitter’s house or play sports. These areas are supposed to be “safe zones”, but sometimes they provide prime opportunities for a child predator to strike. Statistics show an increasing problem – 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 7 boys will be molested by their 18th birthday and approximately 85% of the children will already know their attacker.
- First and most important, teach your children it is never okay to keep secrets from you! Don’t even encourage secrets within your family unit, and let them know they can tell you anything.
- Talk to your child, and really listen everyday! Too many parents get wrapped up in their daily work drama, or other distractions, to fully focus on what their child is saying. If you don’t listen to the little things now, they won’t tell you the big things later!
- Teach your children, that they are not to blindly obey everything an adult tells them to do, especially if it feels wrong. Let them know, that most adults are good people and would never hurt them, but there are a few that don’t have their best interest in mind. Tell them if someone makes them feel funny or uncomfortable, to let you know immediately!
- Please teach your child the correct names for their body parts, even if you use nicknames within the family. Teach them the difference between good and bad touching. Explain that a doctor or nurse may have to examine their bodies to see what’s wrong if they’re sick, but it’s not alright for another adult to touch their private parts. Define private parts as all areas that a bathing suit would cover. If an adult tries to touch them there say, “NO!”, push them away, and tell a trusted adult or parent right away.
- Please do not rely on telling your child, “Don’t talk to strangers” to keep them safe! It does not work, because studies have shown that children aren’t always sure who to classify as a stranger.
- Finally, schedule “what if” game time with your child. Describe different scenarios a child might find themselves in, and ask your child how they would handle the situation. Make sure you balance the scenarios between good and bad situations. By practicing these scenarios, children will have a reference of what they should do if one of these situations arises in the future.
The most important thing a parent must do is to stay vigilant and keep the lines of communication open!
