Bob Hubbard
09-14-2006, 09:14 PM
Increased Risk of Abduction and Abuse As Children Return to School (http://www.prweb.com/releases/2006/8/prweb426847.htm#)
Crowds of children returning for the new school year give predators and abductors a target rich environment. Now is the time for parents, guardians, and teachers to review these 12 safety and self defense rules with children.
Belmont, California (PRWEB) August 20, 2006 -- Child predators and abductors are looking forward to children returning to school. Parents and teachers should protect children by teaching them basic safety and self-defense skills.
SelfDefenseResource.com, a website that provides self-defense information and a directory of resources, today provided the following twelve safety and self-defense tips for parents, guardians, and teachers to help children stay safe this school year and beyond.
1. Child I.D. File and Card
A child identification ("I.D.") card and home file can dramatically shorten the response time of authorities in finding a missing child. The sooner the information is given to law enforcement, the sooner the information can be disseminated to search for the child.
Two types of I.D. should be maintained. The first is a complete record file that is kept at home. The second is a wallet-sized I.D. card always carried by the parents, and given to anyone supervising a child, such as a babysitter and relatives. Include personal and medical information, physical characteristics, and a recent photograph in both. Include dental records, fingerprints, and DNA samples in the home file. Update both annually.
2. Common Ruses
Predators use ruses to gain the acceptance, trust, and compliance of children. Common tricks and lies strangers use with children include (1) asking for help to find a lost pet, (2) asking for directions, (3) telling children their parents asked them to pick up them up, and (4) impersonating an authority figure, such as a law enforcement officer.
Tell children to watch for these tricks and never to go with a stranger unless the agreed code word (Tip #8) is used.
3. Child's Body Belongs to the Child
No one has the right to touch the child's body. Parents should support their child's instincts and give him permission to say "no" to hugs and kisses from family friends and relatives. This will make it easier for the child to say "No" to a touchy-feely stranger.
4. No Visible Child's Name on Possessions
The child's name should not be visible on the outside of backpacks, gym bags, lunch boxes, or clothing. Strangers can use that information to pretend they know him or his family, and use some of the common ruses listed in Tip #2 above. For example, he can greet the child by name and say he is a friend of his mother.
5. Don't Talk to Strangers
Children should obey these four rules with strangers: (1) Stay at the adult's arm's reach and a little more away from them, (2) don't talk to them, (3) don't take anything from strangers, even if it's the child's, and (4) don't go anywhere with strangers.
6. No Secrets
Parents should make an agreement with their child that no secrets are kept in the family. If someone, even if known to the parent, asks the child to keep a secret, the child can tell the person that he doesn't keep secrets in the family and that he will tell.
Abusers often demand their victims to keep a secret, or threaten to hurt him or his parents if they tell. The child should never agree to the demand or threat.
7. "What If...?" Game
Use the "what if..." teaching game to use children's spontaneous questions as a springboard for discussion. This game encourages children to talk about their thoughts and helps them come up with their own solutions and strategies to situations, such as abduction and approaches by unknown adults. The goal is to teach prevention without inducing fear or discussing abduction.
The parent could ask, "what if we were shopping and when you looked around and couldn't find me?" The child could ask, "what if I was playing and a stranger came by?"
Ask the child what he would do to find out what he thinks and discuss possible solutions. Role-play and portray a variety of characters, such as a clerk, customer, store manager, and stranger. Then agree on one solution that seems best.
For the remaining five tips, please visit SelfDefenseResource.com at http://www.selfdefenseresource.com/children/articles/12-tips.php
About SelfDefenseResource.com:
SelfDefenseResource.com is a leading website for self-defense information and resources. Subscribe to the free e-newsletter and receive the free report "10 Secrets to Effective Self-Defense" at http://www.selfdefenseresource.com/
Contact:
Lyman Yip
SelfDefenseResource.com
650-357-7470
http://www.selfdefenseresource.com/
###
Crowds of children returning for the new school year give predators and abductors a target rich environment. Now is the time for parents, guardians, and teachers to review these 12 safety and self defense rules with children.
Belmont, California (PRWEB) August 20, 2006 -- Child predators and abductors are looking forward to children returning to school. Parents and teachers should protect children by teaching them basic safety and self-defense skills.
SelfDefenseResource.com, a website that provides self-defense information and a directory of resources, today provided the following twelve safety and self-defense tips for parents, guardians, and teachers to help children stay safe this school year and beyond.
1. Child I.D. File and Card
A child identification ("I.D.") card and home file can dramatically shorten the response time of authorities in finding a missing child. The sooner the information is given to law enforcement, the sooner the information can be disseminated to search for the child.
Two types of I.D. should be maintained. The first is a complete record file that is kept at home. The second is a wallet-sized I.D. card always carried by the parents, and given to anyone supervising a child, such as a babysitter and relatives. Include personal and medical information, physical characteristics, and a recent photograph in both. Include dental records, fingerprints, and DNA samples in the home file. Update both annually.
2. Common Ruses
Predators use ruses to gain the acceptance, trust, and compliance of children. Common tricks and lies strangers use with children include (1) asking for help to find a lost pet, (2) asking for directions, (3) telling children their parents asked them to pick up them up, and (4) impersonating an authority figure, such as a law enforcement officer.
Tell children to watch for these tricks and never to go with a stranger unless the agreed code word (Tip #8) is used.
3. Child's Body Belongs to the Child
No one has the right to touch the child's body. Parents should support their child's instincts and give him permission to say "no" to hugs and kisses from family friends and relatives. This will make it easier for the child to say "No" to a touchy-feely stranger.
4. No Visible Child's Name on Possessions
The child's name should not be visible on the outside of backpacks, gym bags, lunch boxes, or clothing. Strangers can use that information to pretend they know him or his family, and use some of the common ruses listed in Tip #2 above. For example, he can greet the child by name and say he is a friend of his mother.
5. Don't Talk to Strangers
Children should obey these four rules with strangers: (1) Stay at the adult's arm's reach and a little more away from them, (2) don't talk to them, (3) don't take anything from strangers, even if it's the child's, and (4) don't go anywhere with strangers.
6. No Secrets
Parents should make an agreement with their child that no secrets are kept in the family. If someone, even if known to the parent, asks the child to keep a secret, the child can tell the person that he doesn't keep secrets in the family and that he will tell.
Abusers often demand their victims to keep a secret, or threaten to hurt him or his parents if they tell. The child should never agree to the demand or threat.
7. "What If...?" Game
Use the "what if..." teaching game to use children's spontaneous questions as a springboard for discussion. This game encourages children to talk about their thoughts and helps them come up with their own solutions and strategies to situations, such as abduction and approaches by unknown adults. The goal is to teach prevention without inducing fear or discussing abduction.
The parent could ask, "what if we were shopping and when you looked around and couldn't find me?" The child could ask, "what if I was playing and a stranger came by?"
Ask the child what he would do to find out what he thinks and discuss possible solutions. Role-play and portray a variety of characters, such as a clerk, customer, store manager, and stranger. Then agree on one solution that seems best.
For the remaining five tips, please visit SelfDefenseResource.com at http://www.selfdefenseresource.com/children/articles/12-tips.php
About SelfDefenseResource.com:
SelfDefenseResource.com is a leading website for self-defense information and resources. Subscribe to the free e-newsletter and receive the free report "10 Secrets to Effective Self-Defense" at http://www.selfdefenseresource.com/
Contact:
Lyman Yip
SelfDefenseResource.com
650-357-7470
http://www.selfdefenseresource.com/
###