w it.
Abductors will make up any excuse, “Your mom is in the hospital. Hurry let’s go.” Remember, no code word – no ride or talking- even if you know the person.
8. CHERISH YOUR CHILDREN
It is amazing to me that we have to mention this, but many parents and teachers do not realize that kids are like a blank computer disk. All they really need is love and acceptance from us.
Kids are perfect when they are born. All we can do with them is enhance their natural talents and make sure they stay safe.
If we were to cherish and love them the way we should, many pedophiles wouldn’t even exist. Being loved and nurtured as children, they wouldn’t be acting out that victim cycle. Abductors look for lonely kids at a playground or at a school. The ones that are the easiest victims usually get chosen. Let your kids feel totally loved all the time. Help them to be active and never needy for attention or affection.
9. NO PERSONALIZED CLOTHING
I recently took my son to his first day of school. He was the only one in the class of 28 without a personalized book bag, jacket or some other item. When kids get approached, the pervert is looking for anything – a game they are playing, a name that they can use to develop rapport. Remember every person’s favorite sound is their own name. That is why we use it so many times in class each day.
Recognition and familiarity. If a child’s name is called out, they may immediately let their guard down and start talking. Do not teach them to say “I can’t talk to strangers”; teach them Not to speak to strangers. Do not allow them to get caught up in a web of conversation. They are as good as gone if they start talking and get into a conversation. It develops a bond and also puts them within earshot. Some perverts may start whispering to a child, requiring the child to come closer so they can hear. That’s when they can get grabbed. Remember, NO NAMES on anything.
10. GOOD TOUCH – BAD TOUCH
This is a sensitive subject to discuss, but it gets very easy with repetition. If a child gets used to talking about this, it will then be much easier to report if it ever does occur. Identify that a good touch is a hug, a kiss on the cheek, a pat on the back or shaking hands. “Doesn’t it make you feel good when Mom gives you a hug or a kiss”? That feeling is called “good touch”. “Bad Touch” is if anyone touches their private areas where their “bathing suit covers”. Bad touch is also feeling that the touch is “creepy”.
Let them know if it happens that it isn’t their fault and they should tell the teacher, Mom or Dad, or any other adult that they trust. Overcome the stigma of talking about this subject. Let the children know that they can tell Mom, Dad or teacher if someone is “bad touching” them. Believe them and investigate. Discuss the situation with the child. Do not ignore the situation. Help them to know that they can trust you and that if such a thing happens to them, they are not at fault. This is an important step to the healing process. In most cases, kids are not capable of sexual fantasy. In order to create these images, most kids would have had to be exposed to some sort of pornography or have been abused.
*excerpt taken from SAFER SMARTER KIDS(sm) developed by Mike Storms.