1. GIVE KIDS PERMISSION TO SAY NO TO ADULTS
This gives the program its strong foundation. It is important for children to have the support of their parents and to realize they have ownership of their bodies and minds. There should be no forced affection. Let them know that they have rights just like adults.
Remember what it felt like to have to kiss people you did not want to? It’s fake! If a child learns from their parents that they should kiss someone they do not want to kiss, then they begin to get confused about the proper limits of affection. If the situation arises when another adult tells the child to kiss or touch them, it makes it harder for a child to say no.
In your own life, make sure you honor kids. Ask them if you can have a hug or a kiss, rather than telling them or just physically grabbing them. Make it their choice – their decision. The better that they get at making decisions, the better chance that they will make the right one when Mom and Dad are not around and they are responsible for themselves.
2. NO SHORTCUTS
Any time a child takes a different route home, he or she is running the risk of being grabbed with no witnesses. The techniques that we teach for children to defend themselves against adults mainly focus upon denying abductors privacy, drawing public attention to the situation, and deriving help from other adults.
Make sure kids know that if they are ever grabbed, they must yell and scream “Help, you are not my mom!” or “You are not my dad!”. This will elicit a much more powerful response than just a call for help. Therefore, kids shouldn’t take shortcuts through the woods, backyards or side streets where abductions could occur with no witnesses. Encourage kids to take the same route home each day. This will help friends or parents find them if they are late. And develop safe zones with neighbors. A community needs to help protect its children.
3. IMPORTANT INFORMATION
All children should memorize their name, address and phone number. Parents names and work numbers are also valuable information to have. This is extremely important in order for kids to be able to tell the police, or other helpful adults how to get in touch with their parents. Make sure that kids know the area code as well, in case they are abducted and are able to escape to call home themselves. Teach specific drills for dialing 911 and 0 so that the kids know what to do in case of an emergency at home. Let them know how serious it is, and that it is only for emergencies. All children should memorize their name, address and phone number. Parents names and work numbers are also valuable information to have.
4. WHEN LOST
We all remember a time in our childhood when we got lost and were terrified. We have also all seen children screaming or crying in stores or witnessed panicked parents trying to locate lost children. Having a prearranged course of action should this situation ever occur is a wise strategy. If a child gets lost, teach them to go to the front of the store and tell someone at the register or a policeman to please call for their parents. Remaining calm is an important issue here. It gives kids confidence to know exactly what to do. Tell them to look for people in uniform such as a policeman or a cashier at a store. If you are in a store and you’ve lost one of your children, do not leave the store – wait at the counter or contact the Lost & Found Department.
5. TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS
Kids have a very highly developed sixth sense. They should be taught at a young age to trust this sense. For instance, if a child tells you that a certain person gives them a bad feeling and makes them uncomfortable, believe them.
If they feel that they are being followed or someone is trying to get them, teach them to go in the opposite direction.
Make sure kids know that they are never to speak to strangers especially passers by in cars. They can be grabbed too quickly. If they can hear the person, they are too close to the car.
Teach children to ignore people they don’t know who try to talk to them.
Teach them if they think they are bei