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Keeping Kids Safe -- Important!
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I've been reading and hearing a lot of things about a sick, perverted man named, Jack McClellan who has publicly admitted his obsession/fantasy for little girls (ages 3-11).
He has published tips for other "pedophiles" and "perverts" on the best places to observe little girls and even offers tips on how to avoid being caught by the police. While this is extremely disturbing for parents, especially those in S. California (his current place of residence) there is apparently nothing the police can do because he is not breaking the law (by observing and dishing advice)... but there is something WE, as parents, can do to keep our children safe. I've been reading emails, tips, statistics, etc and I've compiled some interesting information here that parents should be aware of... Unfortunately, most cases of childhood sexual abuse (about 90%) happens by someone the kids know or "think" they know, not by a "stranger." This is something that well meaning parents sometimes don't address because they figure "oh our neighbor, relative, coach, piano teacher seems so nice...my kids are safe." So, below are some great tips that I came across and I want to share them with all the parenting communities. If you have any other great tips... please post them for all us! Here are some basic prevention tips that you can talk to your kids about. 1. Young children should not be out of your or your caregiver’s sight AT ALL -- especially in public places like the park, the beach, etc. 2. Tell your kids that "Safe Grownups Don't Ask Kids For Help" -- if anyone asks them for help with a lost puppy, or for directions, or wants to play a game with them at the park -- the answer is NO and then they must run to their grownup (mom, dad, nanny, etc.) 3. Replace the term stranger (it's too confusing to a kid) with the term TRICKY PERSON. Tell them a tricky person may look friendly or nice, but if they ask you to break a safety rule, they are not SAFE. 4. Kids (and adults) must listen to that "oh-oh" feeling they get if something feels unsafe or uncomfortable and go get their safe grownup right away. 5. If anyone tries to grab them, they should "Go Bananas" -- yell, kick, scream, "this is not my dad", "I need help." They should always RUN IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. 6. Children must always CHECK FIRST with their safe grownup before going anywhere or accepting anything from anyone, even someone they know. This is important because it isn't usually a stranger that molests a child, but someone they know or have seen in their daily environment. 7. Children do not have to always be polite if a grownup tells them to do something they know is wrong, or unsafe... like getting into a car, helping with packages or mail, etc. They must say NO and run to their safe grownup. 8. Bathing suit areas are private. No one is allowed to touch or look at their bathing suit areas, and they are not supposed to look or touch any other grownup's bathing suit areas. 9. Older children should always use the buddy system and not walk around by themselves, to the store, park, etc. 10. If kids do walk to school or specific locations in their neighborhood, you should establish the safe route with them beforehand, and tell them never to take shortcuts. Also establish a few safe-stops along the way like a public market, or neighbor's home who you know is safe, in case they get scared because of something along the way. 11. If anyone seems preoccupied with your child, videotaping or photographing them in public -- go up to him and tell him to STOP. Let him know that is NOT okay and that you will report their suspicious behavior to the police if it continues. There are plenty of tips and skills we can talk to our kids about, and you can do it in a non-fearful way. Let them know that not everyone is dangerous, but there are simple safety rules that all kids need to know. Just like we teach kids how to cross the street, not to touch a hot stove, or even the fire safety rule of "stop, drop, and roll" -- we haven't "freaked" them out or made them paranoid. We just give them some awareness tools. Posted on 06/10/07, 08:06 pm |
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Great advice...some of it sounds very similar to a foundation I belong to called the Polly Klaas Foundation. It has great advice for teaching kids safety without making them scared. I have been teaching my kids about this stuff for some time, and I will keep doing it.
Also important is to teach your kids what to do in the event they are separated from you in a store, etc. You are 100% correct that most abuse happens from someone the child knows or is familiar with. It happened to me. Great post!!! Thank you!! 
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I have something to add when teaching our children to be safe. It is sad but true, that we also need to teach our children not only about adults but other children as well. We have a 10 year old in our neighborhood who has been caught doing inappropriate things to smaller children. He is very good at getting younger children to go places with him. They think it is safe because he is their "friend".
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so where do predators typically watch kids?
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I think it is extremely important to call private areas exactly what they are penis and vagina, breast etc. The cutesy made up names sound to playful.
My brother molested both my sister and I and the one piece of advice I can give is listen to your kids. If they are acting out or behaving in a pecuilar way all of the sudden, something is up. I tell my kids even if they know someone, nobody is supposed to touch their penises or their bottoms not even each other. They also know it is ok to ignore people they don't know who might try and talk to them. Even if we are together and another adult talks to them I do not make them or get upset if they don't answer the other adult. I know I might be more protective of my children just because of what happened to me, I don't think you can ever be to safe or precautious when it comes to our children.
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I agree jenny. Just wish my son would learn to not to talk to every single person on the bus when we are out LOL. Always tryin to tell them where we live, specially if the person has a kid his age with them LOL. I tell him he doesnt need to talk to EVERYONE and to not tell them where we live. I keep a good eye on him while we are out though, I dont let him get no farther than arm length from me at any time and to stay where I can see him if we are out at the park.
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one thing that I have in my home is a problem box. this box is for when they have a problem wether it be big or small. I know that kids somtimes dont want to tell adults cause they are afraid of getting in trouble but this way they can tell. we read every night after dinner and it helps alot. i know it isnt a tip or anything but it can be useful. My oldest Maria was being sexually abused by her own math teacher and wrote to me about it after she got home(i was at work and my sis was watching them but really was more interested in soaps). I not only got the guy fired but switched schools for my kids.
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