Safety from Sexual Harm

Protecting your children from sexual predators. As a parent, guardian, grandparent, aunt, uncle, daily caretaker it is key that you are able to recognize the level of safety that we must all operate in. Twenty five years ago our parents were learning for the first time not to leave their children in the car while they ran in to grab a few groceries. Why, because that is when children began being stolen out of idling cars. When we were kids we played outside from dusk until dawn running in for a quick snack or drink. Watch Leave It To Beaver he was a small boy who had the privilege to freely roam the neighborhood. These days no longer exist in America. We are all on an alert. We have been for some time and we need to realize that it is needed.

Sexual Predators:

Who are sexual predators and were are they? They are in our communities in every setting. They range in age from other children to senior citizens.
Sexual predators may have been children that have been exposed to sexuality prematurely. This could have occurred through exposure to porn in a magazine or on the Internet. It could have happened through seeing sexual acts take place on TV or through personally observation in a home setting accidental or purposely. they could have been exposed through teenage siblings talking about kissing and touching in their presence and now their curiosity is peaked. They are curious and looking for an outlet to express this curiosity. And if they get some private moments with your child they will share info to see if they can peak their curiosity as well. If they can peak your child's interest they will then teach them to explore sexually.

Sexual predators can be unhealthy adults who have themselves been experimented on, molested or even raped as children. They are adults who are looking at porn/videos etc and are sexually stimulated and are looking for a release. They are also previous offenders who may even still be in counseling, or have just gotten out of prison, or who secretly have a chain of offenses that have not been reported yet.

How to protect your child:

Be aware of your neighborhood. Check out this website. It will let you know all the previous sexual offenders in your neighborhood: http://www.familywatchdog.us/ This website link lets you put in any name to check for past arrests: http://www.familywatchdog.us/ShowNameList.asp

Be aware of where your child is at all times. Take them to the bathroom in public places even comfortable settings that you are familiar with such as church, work office when they visit, school, library, etc. When other children come over to play watch how they interact. Beware of conversations and what they are playing. Do not allow your child to play out of your home unless you are sure that the other parent/guardian is carefully supervising your child and has a safe environment. An unsafe environment is one in which visitors, friends, relatives come and go frequently and the children have lots of free unobserved play time.
Be aware of your surroundings and choose safe areas for your child to play. For example: outside play should be in plain view through the window at all times or supervised by an adult or trusted teen. Back yard play time is safest if you have a back yard. However, you still must watch them carefully.
Be aware of warnings within you and respect them. If you feel uncomfortable around a individual then without accusation in your heart choose to be more aware around that individual. If you have an adult friend that talks about sex in addictive ways or unhealthy ways then know that they are not safe caretakers or playmates for your child. Others should not be so comfortable to tickle and rub your child. Pulling your child on their lap should be reserved for very close persons that are trustworthy not Uncle Joe, a friend of their grandfather. Be aware of neighbors who have a closer relationship with your child then with you. Be aware of others who know your child's name that you do not know very well. guarding your child takes instinct, wisdom and boundaries.

Talk to your child about proper behaviors:

Parents and guardians talk to your child about good touch bad touch. Here are two sites that may help. Be the one who talks to your child most frequently. Be their best friend and their parent. You can be the most influential person in their life by loving them, playing with them, teaching them, and guarding them.

Praying for your child daily is also a key way to preparing safety around them. They deserve all the prayers, love and care that you can give them.