What steps can we take to protect our children from Sexual Preditors?

Question

They seem to be everywhere, the internet, in our schools and on our streets. What can we do to effect the safety of our children?

Answer 1

I wish I knew what made people do this because I would try to stop them.

Not all sexual predators have been molested themselves.

Well, having been abused I would say that the BEST thing a parent can do is ARM THEIR CHILD. By ARM I mean to keep them from being lonely, monitor their emotional behavior, and inform them that all adults are not GOOD adults.

Also, pay attention to them and watch them carefully or keep them under watchful eyes.

I was not taught about the 'NO NO SPOT' as some kids are being taught today. My family could not have even conceived probably of someone doing such a thing to me. No one in my family had ever been molested before.

The man who did it was a friend of the family.

And based on that experience, and the ones of the kids I deal with in charities and churches, any MAN that wants too much to be alone with a child should be SUSPECT. Particularly YOUNG MEN...

Now, having said that, there are men who DO take kids out and are kind, so that you can make sure your kids know the difference, let them no that unless you are hurting down there or in other sensitive areas, or they are medical staff, no one should touch them there.

If your child goes places, like to church or an organization outing and he or she comes back a bit depressed and shocked like, make sure you take note of it and ask them what is wrong.

Let your kids know UP FRONT from DAY ONE that there is NOTHING they can't talk to you about. Even touching or sexual feelings or whatever, so that they will FEEL COMFORTABLE telling you about any strange actions or feelings on their part.

Pay attention to the adults who surround your children. Are they a bit too eager? Are your children comfortable around them? Find some kids who were in their troop, church group, class, babysitting, etc...and find out if THEY felt comfortable.
Anecdotes are often telling.

Sometimes a man or even a WOMAN who is touchy feely (in the bad way, not someone who just hugs) has whispers about this but in some communities the parents are not comfortable with their suspicions.

At the very least, see if whomever people your children are around have a criminal sexual history.

The janitor who stole some rings at a pawn shop 6 years ago is probably not a danger to your child. If he wanted to continue to be a thief, he most likely wouldn't be working.

The hall monitor who had 3 incidents "touching" little girls or boys IS a danger to your child and i would bring it to the attention of the school immediately.

Get the facts. People do report stuff to 'retaliate' stupid things.

And some men are suckered in by teen girls or boys who look over 18 and these men aren't really predatory.

DO NOT LET YOUR CHILDREN OR TEENS HAVE A COMPUTER IN THEIR ROOM ALONE. Not only is this bad feng shui (it does not promote good chi in the bedroom) and it does not promote restful sleep, but you have no way of seeing what is really going on.

If your kid is depressed or a loner, try to get them involved. The school may be full of mean girls or brute boys and maybe there is something else they can do. Lonely, sad or depressed kids who are having problems are kids who do not hang around peers.

Predators target them every time.

Forewarned is forearmed.

Answer 2

Tell your children never to talk to strangers. Always have a companion in going anywhere if possible.Have them enrolled in self defense classes during school vacations. Have a password for your computer and monitor the websites they are accessing. Teach them moral values.

Answer 3

teach them to not be afraid to come to you if someone (adult or fellow student) touches them or talks to them inappropriately.

for the internet, no computers in their bedrooms, and as a parent, you monitor their time on the net, and sit with them until they are done. Limit their time (ie only 2 hours a day) and put the computer into a public area of your home (ie living room). Install net monitoring programs as well.

Answer 4

Shoot them.