STREET PROOFING YOUR CHILD
Your children are your most precious possessions in your life. Because of their young age and innocence, people sometimes lure them with promises of candy, ice cream, and money or to help find a missing dog or cat. It is difficult for the police to prevent child molestation because it is a crime of situation and opportunity. However, you can “STREET PROOF” your child and greatly reduce the risk by explaining to them a few simple points to protect themselves when they are alone.
A child molester cannot be distinguished from any other person. They will use trickery, flattery, and coercion to entice young victims to go with them. I am encouraging you to make use of this information and periodically review the tips to reaffirm the need for your children to be cautions. Child awareness is a program in which parents and children are made aware of the risks and dangers that innocent children may encounter. Through practical knowledge and training, parents and children can be prepared to deal with threatening circumstances.
The majority of child molesters are someone WHO IS ALREADY KNOWN TO THE FAMILY. Most children do not tell their parents of the incident because they do not know how to explain the experience and/or are afraid of being blamed or not being believed. Advise you child that if someone bothers them, they should
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SAY NO!
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GET AWAY!
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TELL SOMEONE!
Make sure they know where they can get help: as a Police Officer Teachers, or from someone the parent identify to the child. If a stranger tries to touch your child, instruct them to yell, “YOU ARE A STRANGER” AND TRY TO RUN AWAY. They should try to remember what the person looks like. If possible, they should copy the license plate number in the dirt or snow as soon as possible.
Responsible Checklist For Parents
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Explain to your child that a stranger is anyone that they do not know even if he knows them.
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Familiarize yourself with your neighbourhood, always knowing exactly where your child plays. Make a map of your neighbourhood, marking where your child is at all times.
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Teach your child his/her address and phone number.
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Teach your child the address and phone number of the local Police Service.
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Let your child know where you can be reached at all times.
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In the case of an emergency call the Police immediately, 9-1-1. If you suspect your child is missing the sooner you contact the police, the better your changes are of finding them. Provide the Police with a recent photo of your child.
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A great resource for assisting the victims in these matters is your local Neighbourhood Watch participants. Join one or start one up in your area. Contact your local Police Service for information on Neighbourhood Watch.
Remember, as
parents it is our responsibility to protect our children.
Constable Earl Fletcher
Halton Regional Police Service
