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Plan Against Predators
How to Protect Your Child From Harm
By Julia Rosien
This is so visitors can be seen without acknowledging anyone is home. "Preteens shouldn't have friends over when an adult isn't home unless preapproved by the parents," Friedman says.
"Teach your child not to give out identifying information over the Internet," Friedman says. "A healthy child doesn't seek to meet people over the Internet, but an isolated or depressed child may be at risk."
If your child is violated or assaulted by an adult, it's very important to listen. "Tell them sexual abuse is never a child's fault, and regardless of who hurt them, you want to know," Cohen-Posey says. "Tell them that even if it's a brother, sister, aunt, uncle or parent you want to know, and if they can't talk to you, find someone you both feel is safe."
"Most of the time it's better to deal with issues of safety as they come up rather than holding a formal talk," says Friedman. A seductive blouse in the store may seem appealing to a girl who is enjoying her attractiveness and newly-found alluring power. "She's not fully aware of the possible dangers and won't be prepared to handle the unsolicited advances that may result from her manner of dress."
When she wants to go to the mall at night with her friends, parents can seize the moment to teach safety. "Teach balance, not fear," Friedman says. "Explain there are many nice people in the world and only a few bad ones. Everyone needs to be careful not to be in the wrong place at the wrong time."