How to Protect Children from Sexual Predators

The way society is today, parents, grandparents and even school personnel need to know how to protect children from sexual predators. You need to keep the child save and prevent any situations that could result in a sexual offense of any child. There is no one way to protect children, but if you take some necessary precautions, you can lower the chances of your child becoming a victim of sexual abuse.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Education about sexual abuse
• Education about sexual predators

1. Walk with your child around the neighborhood and point out places that the child should not go. This will include any secluded areas. Alleys, walkways and tunnels are off bounds for children. Explain how important it is that your child never go to any of these places without you.

2. Learn about your neighbors. It is important to know all you can about your neighbors. Many times sexual predators can move into neighborhoods without police or area residents having any clue.

3. Talk with your child about playing outside with other children and never enter anyone's home without your prior approval. Explain to them how sometimes bad things can happen and you need to know where they are at all times.

4. Report any suspicious vehicles or people in the neighborhood. Once law enforcement knows you are serious, they will start patrolling and asking questions of people that do not belong in the neighborhood. It may be wise to start a neighborhood watch. This way the children will always have an adult looking out for spurious people hanging around.

5. Never allow acquaintances in your home unsupervised around your children. This means men and women or some family members that may have drinking problems. Some people that drink lose all moral values and this presents a potential threat to everyone in the home.

6. Teach the child not to talk to strangers no matter who they say they are. This includes people that offer puppies and candies as a way to get the child close to them. Make sure the child knows to run to the nearest adult that they know or into a large group of people and ask for help.

7. Never allow children to walk home from school or go anywhere along. Children in groups of two or more are less likely to be a target for a sexual predator. Children should always be with a friend or an adult.

8. Before sending a child to school or a day care, investigate and check all records to make sure no violations have occurred with personal or others on the premises. If you have suspicions, talk to the appropriate people about your concerns. No suspicion is a bad suspicion where children are concerned.

Tips & Warnings

• Safety has to begin at home.
• Safety has to begin early in a child's life.
• Never accuse someone of being a sexual predator unless there is proof.
• Never tell a child what to say if you think something has happened. Ask them to tell you a story.

[jenfoote]

on 10/31/2008 Great tips. My daughter is only 4, so she never goes anywhere without me and her father. Whenever she has a playdate one of us still stays, but these are important tips to know. I will start teaching her now as it is never too early to be careful.

[leanan]

on 10/24/2008 Awesome advice and very much needed in this day and time. 5*

[2besure]

on 10/8/2008 This topic can not be spoken about enough.