Is Your Child at Risk? What Every Parent Needs to Know About Child Abduction

Who do you think could hurt your child? The registered sex offender who lives two doors down? Bob, the neighbor you borrow tools from? How about the mailman, lunch lady, grocery clerk, or gardener? Which of these people poses the greatest risk to your child?

Parents watching the news these days are bombarded with warnings about registered sex offenders and pleas to help find that pretty little girl who was taken by a stranger. Parents then warn their children to stay away from that pervert in number 12 and to never talk to strangers.

I'm here to tell you that your child is in much greater danger from the people you wouldn't consider a threat. Elizabeth Smart was taken by the family handyman whose criminal history did not include kidnapping or any sexual offense. Michael Devlin, the man who abducted two Missouri boys, did not have a criminal record. In fact, according to the National Incidence Studies of Missing, Abducted, Runaway, and Thrownaway Children (NISMART) study published in 2002 there were 58,000 children abducted by non-family members. These children were not kidnapped by a parent. Strangers, also, did not kidnap these kids. Who did? A soccer coach, school teacher, gardener, nurse, and neighbor are real examples of people who have kidnapped children.

It is very important to understand that children are far more likely to be abducted by someone their parents trust than a stranger. Parents often allow their children to be in unsafe situations because they just didn't think they were putting their child at risk. There are a few simple things parents can do to lessen their child's risk of being kidnapped or sexually abused.

Public Bathrooms- Do not allow a child under the age of 8 to use a public restroom alone. Dads, you can accompany your young daughter into the ladies room, or take them into the men's room. There have been a number of children sexually abused, killed, and kidnapped from public restrooms. Women abuse and abduct children too- don't assume the ladies room is safer.

Sports- If your child plays soccer, basketball, football, or any other sport, go with them. Go to each of your child's practices and games. Not only will this help strengthen your bond with your child, but it will ensure that your child is supervised. A coach cannot abuse or take your child if you are right there watching!

Babysitters- Invest in Nanny Cams. Privacy is not an issue- your child's safety is. Each room should have an unobtrusive nanny cam. These may not prevent abuse, but will help catch, stop, and prosecute an abuser so they can't hurt your child or any other child again. If your child is abducted while a sitter is in charge, the cams may help identify the kidnapper so your child can be found quickly.

Grocery Stores- Keep your young child within arms length at all times. Take your little ones into the dressing room with you. It is so easy to grab a baby from a cart while mom's attention is somewhere else. For parents with multiple young children, leashes are a great tool! (Kid leashes, not dog leashes.) Ignore the looks from disapproving people and be proud knowing you are keeping your child safe!

Vehicles- Never, ever leave a child in a car that is running. Not even for 30 seconds. It would take me less than that to hop in the car and go. Always put your children in the car before you put your groceries in the car. If the cart return is not right next to your vehicle, just leave the cart in front of your car. When you return home, take the children into the house first. They are truly your most precious cargo. When you do leave a child alone in the car (say to pay for gas), take the keys with you and lock the doors. Keep your vehicle in your line of sight.

Finally, the most important thing parents can do to keep their kids safe is to know where they are! As you are reading this, think for a moment. Do you know where each of your children is- right now, this second? If you cannot answer this question positively, with confidence, then be aware that your children are right now, this second, at risk.