ng followed, to go to a neighbor’s house or into a store.
If someone tries to talk to them or grab them, teach them to run in the opposite direction.
If a car slows down or if a person in a car asks for directions, teach them to stay away from the car.
Make sure that you and all your instructors understand how important it is to tell kids that it is not rude to ignore people they do not know.
6. CHECK IT OUT
All parents lead busy, hectic lives – kids, school, jobs, and social lives. Do you know how many people I have had interview me and ask me what my qualifications were as an instructor? Or ask if I had ever been in trouble with the law and checked out my references? Only 3 in my 12 year teaching career!
That’s ridiculous! Parents can never know enough about those people who have responsibility for their children. This includes teachers, baby-sitters, coaches, preaches, other friends’ parents, anyone. Check into their backgrounds; their last job, references, police record and see how you feel about them personally. Do not trust a referral. Never let someone do your job for you. Do it yourself and do it thoroughly.
7. CODE WORD
This is VITAL! Make sure that parents and kids pick out a confidential code word! Maybe it’s not convenient, but it is life saving. Most abductions are done by familiar faces – friends, co-workers, even relatives. Teach parents to decide with their kids on a secret word that only the parent and the child know; something fun and silly like pizza, lipstick, zordon (a Power Ranger character) and tell them to make sure it’s something unique.
Make sure that parents leave a list of people that their child is allowed to go home with at school or at a friend’s house with specific instructions not to release the child to anyone else.
Teach children that anyone who comes to pick them up must have this code word. If a person does not know the code word, the child must never go with that person. No code word – don’t go – no excuses. The child should not speak to that person anymore if they do not know 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 