What Every Parent Must Know About Sexual Predators

Parenting Class 101 - Talking About The Reality of The Day In Which We Live
The day and age in which we live demands that all parents be diligent about their offspring. Regrettably, one area that we must have open forum discussions about is the area of protecting our children from sexual predators. It used to be that certain institutions were oblivious to the conduct of these lewd individuals. However that is no longer the case.

It has become glaringly obvious, that no matter where you turn there are no safe havens. It seems nothing is sacred anymore. Actually, our schools and churches have become literal hunting grounds for sexual predators.

Just recently, Stephanie Ragusa, a 29-year-old math teacher at Martinez Middle School in Florida, was arrested for the third time, (authorities say she continued to have sex with the teen after her first arrest). A sane parent looks at a scenario like this and can only scratch their head. Why would an educated individual who understand the consequences of such conduct, jeopardize their life and freedom by committing such crimes? The answer is; they are sexual predators!

I firmly believe, that there should be a parenting class available for all mothers and fathers to take in order to help them prepare their children for life. The last thing any parent should do is falsely believe this issue could never visit their doorstep. This is the position that sexual predators are hoping every parent takes.

Parenting Class 101 - Get The Facts Straight; Sexual Predators Are Everywhere!
One of the greatest mistakes any parent can make is falsely assuming that there are safe havens. A safe haven is best described as a place where you as a parent would have no concerns or worries about your child's safety. Time and time again, people who we trusted to be pillars in our communities and virtues of integrity have let us down.

The heart stopping revelations of the Catholic priests serves as a classic case in point. As the shocking number of sexual abuse incidents began to be made public, if you were like me you were; appalled, angry, and felt an overwhelming sense of betrayal. Who would have thought their guards had to be up in the sanctity of the church? I'll tell you who; parents who've went through some type of an in-depth parenting class.

This next set of statements are not meant to alarm you; they are meant to prepare you for the reality of the day that we live in. Let's get the facts straight, sexual predators were everywhere!

They are in our schools

They are in our churches

They are in our day cares

They are in our after school programs

They live in our communities...

Parenting Class 101 - The Nature of The Beast
A case in Norristown, Pennsylvania highlights the nature of sexual predators. Timothy Kevin Hammond, a 33-year-old former teacher at the Renaissance Academy, was arrested for allegedly having an improper relationship with a female student. Things should have ended there, but just as in the case of Stephanie Ragusa, it didn't!

Authorities say Hammond slipped the teen girl a note through her friends, encouraging her not to tell anyone that she had heard from him and inciting the girl to destroy the letters to make "absolutely sure" that no one finds out about them." These incidents are happening in schools all over our nation. The website, Schoolteachernews.com found 478 such cases in 2008.

With sexual predators, that is the nature of the beast! They go where their prey is and they know exactly what they are doing in terms of pouncing on their victims. They are so smooth with their approach; the average child or teenager won't realize they are being victimized and that a crime is being perpetrated against them.

As you can see, the law and incarceration is no deterrent to these individuals; that's what makes them so dangerous. This is why every mother and father should go through a parenting class that educates them about this issue.

Parenting Class 101 - What Does a Sexual Predator Look Like?
There is no stereotypical sexual predator; they come in all colors, shapes, sizes and gender. The perpetrators of these types of crimes transcends, race, culture, fame and pedigree. They are educated and uneducated; they could be a teacher, minister, pastor, CEO, coach, professional athlete, stranger, a neighbor, a family friend, a daycare worker or a family member. No one is automatically excluded from this list.

The most important point is to be vigilant about parenting; don't let your guard down for one second! Know the warning signs of sexual abuse and create an environment in which your children feel safe and comfortable about coming to you and talking about anything.