ON GUARD! What
Parents Should Know About Child Abduction by Laura Quarantiello
The risk of
your child being taken by a molester or abductor is real, as
thousands of parents learn to their horror every year. Rule
one is never leave your child alone in public, not even for a
minute. A minute is all it takes. Parking lots and public rest rooms
are prime hunting ground for abductors, so be careful about where
you park and don't let your child wander off. Check out any baby
sitter or day care facility thoroughly before you entrust your child
to them. Keep an open and honest relationship with your children;
encourage them to
talk about their concerns and pay attention to what they say. If
something or someone is upsetting or scaring them, there's usually a
reason. Never belittle your child's fears, whatever they are.
It's a fact that the
more attention a child gets at home, the less susceptible he or she
will be to the lures of a molester or abductor. Try to be involved
with your child's activities – know who their friends are and what
adults they spend time with. Be especially careful of friend's
parents or other adults in a friend's home if your child spends time
there. One of the prime warning signs of trouble to watch for is an
apparent change in the way your child reacts to a particular adult.
It is vital that you find out what's going on in a situation such as
that.
Don't dress your child
in clothes that display his or her name. A stranger can easily spot
the child's name and use it to appear to be a friend. Police
recommend that you always keep a recent photo of your child on hand
– it's an important aid in bringing a child home quickly. Be sure
your children understand that if any stranger tries to get them
alone or into a car you want to be told about it. If something seems
suspicious to you don't hesitate to report it to the police, along
with as much information about the situation as possible. In so
doing you might help save another child from a terrible fate.
