Child abuse prevention is at an all time high. The cold facts are these: Every 13 seconds, a child is abused in the US. A report of child abuse is made every 10 seconds, and more than 5 children die DAILY in the US due to child abuse. WHY? There is no need. A child who lives through the abuse only grows up with anger and resentment. Quite often, (59%) abused children are arrested for crimes in their teen years.
Child abduction is every parent’s biggest fear. However, only 1.4% of all abductions are by strangers. 98.6% of all abductions are committed by someone the child has had personal contact with. There are three types of abduction. 1st, by a family member, (relative kidnapping) 2nd, a person your child knows, or has had previous contact with, (acquaintance kidnapping) 3rd, a total stranger (stranger kidnapping). Every 40 seconds a child is abducted n the US. In 80% of stranger kidnappings, initial contact between the perpetrator and victim occurs within ¼ mile of the home.
As responsible adults, it is our job to prevent child abuse. We need to take a stand, and protect those who cannot protect themselves. Start early with your child, and teach them the following basics.
- Does your child know about their Harm Alarm? It is the funny or uncomfortable feeling they get when they know something doesn’t seem right.
- When your child’s Harm Alarm goes off and they get this feeling they need to tell Mom, Dad, or an adult they trust right away.
- Does your child know they should never be pressured to go somewhere or do something? If your child is ever pressured or instructed to do something they do not feel comfortable doing, they need to tell an adult right away.
- Does your child know how to get permission? This means looking Mom, Dad, or the adult in charge right in the eyes and asking if they can do something or go somewhere.
- Children need to ask permission before they go anywhere, even if they know the person.
- If they do not get or have permission, they cannot go with that person.
- If they do not have permission, and that person still tries to take them, they should “run, run, run, yell, and tell.”
- They need to RUN away, kick, bite, scratch… Do anything it takes to get away if someone grabs them!
- They need to YELL things like “This is NOT my daddy/mommy!” or “This person is trying to take me.” These phrases will get the attention of people nearby who will be able to help.
- Then they need to TELL an adult they trust RIGHT AWAY.
Even better, take your child to a child safety program like Lil’ Iguana Live. Interactive programs, like Lil Iguana are the best way to teach your children how to stay safe because they are presented through music, which is the number one way to teach.
The lessons are presented in a non-threatening way, and will instill life lessons in your child as they have fun listening to songs. It is a program you can feel secure with, knowing you are gently guiding your child through a safe and happy childhood.
For more information about the Lil’ Iguana’s Children’s Safety Foundation and its programs, go to the website, ‘Liliguanausa.org’