|
|
The Problem of Child Abduction
Child abductions that result in murder are rare, but they sure make the headlines. However, even one of these cases is too many. Each year, there are about 100 children who are abducted and later found murdered.
Nearly 3/4 of all children abducted in these instances, are dead within six hours of the abduction. It leaves authorities in a tough position to act in a child abduction. It also leaves it almost completely in the hands of the child to either avoid the abduction to begin with, or to escape and elude death at the hands of his or her attacker.
Most abductions like this are a crime of opportunity. Very few are planned out. So with a little bit of precautions training with your child, you can ensure that they survive any potential abduction.
More resources on child abduction prevention
Don’t Take Chances: Things Parents Do that Can Put Their Child at Risk for Abduction
Many times, children are abducted because parents take chances with their kids that they probably shouldn’t. Try to avoid things like these:
·Don’t send children on short errands alone, not even to the neighborhood store.
·Avoid having your children play outside in the yard after dark, unless there is a parent supervising. For that matter, have a parent around to supervise any time children are playing in the front yard.
·If children are ever on their own, keep them in pairs. A lone child is a much bigger target for an abductor.
·Get a watch going with other neighborhood parents, so that children are always supervised at the bus stop or walking to and from school. If it is possible, take turns walking the kids from the bus stop to reduce the threat of not only an abductor, but of a possible pedestrian accident.
·Remember that most murder abductions are abductions of opportunity. Do your best to eliminate that opportunity to begin with.
Teaching Children to be Street Smart
There are several ways that children can increase their safety chances when they are out and about in their neighborhood. Teach children these basic rules for being street smart, and make sure that you check with your children that these rules are being followed as much as possible. If your child wants to go somewhere, make sure it is arranged for another friend to go with her. On a regular basis, ask who your child played with, who they walked with, which route they took, etc. Safety starts with parents who press the issue.
·Teach your kids to always go with another friend or adult whenever they are out and about. There is safety in numbers, and it is always more difficult for a potential abductor to target two children as opposed to one. Rarely does this happen. They will go after a child who is all alone, so that they can snatch them quickly without any witnesses.
·Tell them to stay out in the open. Avoid going places where nobody else can see you. People sometimes look for kids in places where the child can’t be seen easily.
·Children need to pay attention to your surroundings. Keep an eye out for everything around you. Cars that go by, people that are out and about, etc. If you see anything that looks suspicious, stay away from it.
If they walk to school, always direct them to walk along the same route. Discuss with them the best route to school, and always stay on that route, so that people know where to look in case you are missing.
Street Smart Resources for Children:
Read your kids our children's story: How to be a Street Smart Kid,
Designed for children in elementary school.
Talking with Children About Strangers
Children have a hard time with the concept of a stranger. They generally think of strangers as monsters in the dark, or shady looking individuals. This concept is especially important to push with younger children (3-6). Studies have shown that a parent not only needs to tell children to stay away from strangers, but they also need to teach the definition of a stranger.
·Clearly define who a stranger is. That a stranger is anyone who they do not know well. Strangers don’t look mean or different, they look like normal people. It is just anyone they are not familiar with. Strangers are mostly good people. But we don’t know them, and we can’t tell by looking whether or not they are good or bad. Because of this, we need to stay away from all strangers.
· Tell children that the only time they are allowed to talk to strangers is if they have their parents or another adult by their side.
Child Abduction Lures that a Stranger Might Use
Teach children that strangers sometimes might try to trick them to get them to go somewhere with them, so that they can take them away. This is called a lure. Teach children these concepts about a lure:
·Review some of these common lures listed below. Encourage a discussion on how they would feel if someone actually asked them:
1) Would you like to come see my puppy?
2) I’ve been going up and down the street looking for my lost puppy and haven’t been able to find him. Can you come help me look?
3) I’ve got a gun in the car. Get in with me right now or I’ll shoot you.
4)Your mom was in a car accident and she’s at the hospital, she sent me to come pick you up and take you there.
5)I’m going to the school right now, would you like a ride?
6)Excuse me, I was wondering if you could come show me the way to the police station.
7)I found this backpack laying on the side of the road and I was wondering if you could come look at it and tell me who it belongs to.
·Tell children that they should never believe a stranger or go anywhere or do anything with a stranger, no matter what that person says. Even if they know your name or your parent’s name, or if they claim to know your parents, don’t believe them. Never go with a stranger.
·If someone in an unmarked car says they are a policeman, even if they are wearing a uniform or show you a badge, find an adult around to check them out before you go with them.
·Teach kids that an adult would never try to get a strange kid to go anywhere with them, because this is not normal behavior. If an adult is doing this, it is only because they are doing something they shouldn’t be.
Stranger Danger Resources for Kids:
Read your children our abduction prevention book: How to Get Away From A Stranger, designed for preschool and elementary school children.
What Children Should Do if a Stranger Approaches Them
Children can and have been successful in foiling abduction attempts, when they are taught ahead of time what to do. The best way to keep safe in the event of an attempted stranger abduction, is simply to stay away to begin with. Teach children what to do in the event that a stranger approaches them:
Child abduction attempts from a car...
· Keep away from the car. Never walk to the window or get closer to talk to the person, no matter what he or she says. Stay as far away from the car as you can.
·Decline the persons offer. If you are close to home or a friends house, go there and tell someone what happened.
· If you are away from home, go into a business and tell them what is happening. If there are no businesses around, start running in the opposite direction while yelling “Help, stranger!” As a last resort you could go to any house and scream for help.
·Call the police.
If children are approached by a stranger on foot...
·Decline the offer. Never do anything a stranger invites you to do.
·Start walking to the adult you are with or to the area with the most people, staying as far away from the person who approached you as you can. You could also shout out “mom!” and start running in that direction even if she isn’t there.
· Have someone call the police.
Teach children that if they ever feel as though they are in danger, they shouldn’t hesitate to run. Tell them to run to a friend’s house, business, or if they are in immediate danger, they can go into any house and scream for help. (Explain to them the difference between them going to a stranger for help and a stranger coming to them.)
Escaping a kidnapper: teaching children to fight back against strangers
Tell children that if they are ever grabbed by an assailant, they should scream “Stranger! Let go of me” or “Stranger, don’t touch me like that!” or “Stranger, don’t touch me there!” They should try biting, kicking, screaming, poking the stranger in the eyes, grabbing onto anything they can - anything to try to get away or keep the person from taking them.
Child Code Words: Do they Prevent Kidnapping?
A code word is used by some parents to serve as a password to identify the person as someone that is authorized to take / pick up a child. We do not endorse the use of code words for the following reasons: Although they have been shown to work in one or two instances, there are many other effective means to deal with a potential abductor that are far safer.
Children sometimes forget their code word. They will ask for it, but go with whatever answer the person gives because they forget their code word. There have also been times where it seems an abductor has been successful in guessing the code word. When children come up with code words to use, it is often a favorite food, a favorite animal, or other childhood favorite. Thus the code word system is not as foolproof as one might suspect.
Most importantly, there is no reason for code words. Unless you make a habit of constantly having other people come to pick up your child without telling them about it first, (which you should not be doing) code words are unnecessary. Children should not be giving a potential abductor any extra time by standing there asking for a code word. If someone they don’t know approaches them and asks them to come with them, the question should never be academic and up for debate. Just run.
Stranger Danger Resources for Kids:
Read your children our abduction prevention book: How to Get Away From A Stranger, designed for preschool and elementary school children.
Rules About Friends
Unfortunately, about half of the children abducted and murdered in the United States are taken by someone they have an acquaintance with, and sometimes know well. Nearly all of the children who are abducted and not killed are taken by a close family member or friend of the family.
You should try not to get in the habit of having other people pick up your child, especially without telling your child first. Parents who do this greatly increase the chances of someone they know snatching their child, for whatever reason they have in mind.
Teach children that if anyone they know ever tries to pick them up without you telling them about it first, they should ask another adult. This won’t necessarily prevent an abduction, but it will almost always deter anyone who is thinking of a murder. Also, doing this allows school officials, or anyone else a chance to verify and check the validity of the person trying to pick your child up. Something that otherwise may have been ignored.
The Golden Rule for Preventing Child
Abductions
Teach children this valuable rule: It doesn’t matter who it is or what the situation, if you are ever unsure about something or someone, ask for another adult’s help. Whether it be protection from sexual abuse or abductions, or even other safety issues for that matter, this is an invaluable rule for children to learn and get into the habit of doing.
If a friend picks you up and you are not sure, ask another adult first. If someone wants to do something with you that makes you feel funny, ask another adult first. If a friend wants you to do something with them and you are not sure, ask an adult first. Always ask whenever you aren’t sure.
Teaching Children What to do if They Are Lost
Children get lost all the time. Whether in a grocery store, mall, or large gathering, it will happen. Normally it is nothing more than a scary experience for the child and a nerve-wracking time for their parents. However, it is important that we prepare children for the chance that they may get lost. Not only will it lead to the experience getting resolved quicker, but more importantly, avoid the chance of a snatch.
·When going to amusement parks and other crowded events, carry a current photo of your children and designate a pre-planned meeting place in case they get separated.
·Tell children that if they are ever lost, they should look for a policeman, security officer, fireman, or somebody else in uniform to go to. If there are no policeman around, they should go into a store or business and tell someone who is working that they are lost and need help finding their parents.
·Tell children that they should try to stay as calm as possible if they ever do get lost. Remind them that if this ever happens, as long as they do what they are supposed to do, they will eventually find their parents again.
·To avoid getting lost in the first place, tell children that whenever they are in crowded places they should stay close to their parents and hold their hand if possible. Don’t go wandering off or leave to look at something, even for a minute, because all it takes is a few seconds for you to get separated from your parents and lost.
Cell Phones for Child Safety
As weird as it sounds to equip a child with a cell phone, especially to old fashioned folk, cell phones can be a wonderful tool in the fight for child safety. They are especially handy if you ever have your child walk home by themselves to an empty house, or ‘latchkey children’, as they are sometimes called.
·Instruct your child to call you as soon as they get out of school. Many parents even talk with their children about their day as they walk home from school, so that the parents can check up and at the same time be on the line to ensure a safe trip home.
·Once home, have your child call you again, to let you know that they are safe.
Have them keep the cell phone on themselves even while at home, so if by chance an emergency should arise, they will always be able to call for help.
Protect Your Child From Abduction With a Personal GPS Safety Device
Perhaps the most sure fire way to protect your child from abduction is to equip them with a personalized GPS safety device. These small units have a panic button for emergencies and can be easily added to accessories that your child wears. For about 30 cents a day you can secure the peace of mind of always knowing exactly where your child is at any given moment - which has many everyday benefits beyond safety prevention. Click on the link below to learn more:
http://www.seo-sh.cn/post/56.html |
|
发表于 2024-10-6 06:33:36