Tips to Keep Your Child Safe!

This is an issue that is at the heart of every parent.

Keeping our children safe can be a frustrating and worrisome issue.
Aside from locking them up inside all day, what can we do? 1.

Educate your kids.

Don't think that they are "too young" to learn about the dangers out there.
As soon as they are dealing with other people when you are not around and are able to understand, tell them what could happen.
Without being too explicit of course! They may respond with - "your scaring me mum" but that is a good thing.
They need to understand that it is a very serious subject.

Remind them of the dangers on a regular basis.

Not daily, but 3-12 times a year depending on their age and retention.
2. If they ever find themselves lost, alone, or in trouble they should seek the assistance of a woman. Why? Because woman are 90 - 99% less likely to commit a violent crime.
Particularly to someone they don't know. Note:- Your child may mistake a security guard or other work uniform for a policeman, therefore it is not a risk you can take.

3.

Teach your child self-defence.
This doesn't necessarily mean time consuming expensive classes - though if you do have access all the better.

What it does mean is a lesson in anatomy and where to strike to disarm an attacker- the genitals or a good poke in the eyes.
Practice going through the motions. 4.
Do not let anyone take you to another place.

If an assailant wants to take their victim to a second place they are going harm them and usually kill them.

So make sure they make noise, scream, kick or fight and don't stop because once they move them to a deserted spot they will have no recourse. Even though their assailant may threaten them they need to know that they should never, ever let someone they don't know take them to a second place.
5.
Unfortunately, very often, victims know their assailants, so our children need to know that under no circumstances should anyone touch them in the area of their swimsuit or vice versa.

If anyone should ever do so they should tell you or another adult (you can specify whom).

If you give them another option or two besides yourself then you know that if for some reason they uncomfortable telling you, you will still get the message, if you choose wisely.

Their abuser may have threatened to harm you or someone in your family if they "tell" or they may be embarrassed to talk about it with you, so having options is crucial.
6. Look for any change in behaviour in your kids.
It could range from bedwetting, to withdrawing into themselves, to acting out in destructive or unusual behaviour.

If you do notice anything unusual keep a close eye on them and gently make them feel secure enough to confide in you or their favourite aunt or grandmother. Whilst we don't want to live our lives in fear it is important to empower ourselves and our children with knowledge and an action plan should something go wrong.
Be careful not to become paranoid as most people think that crimes against children in particular have increased, when in fact, in many areas it has stayed the same or even decreased.
What has increased is the media coverage.

Media sensationalising of crimes has been a huge influence on how we view our world.

Many people say "it is not safe for our kids to play in the park anymore" when statistically, in many areas, the danger is no worse than when we were growing up. So allow your kids a reasonable amount of freedom as they prove themselves to be mature and trustworthy!