Since the early 80’s the United States has seen a nearly 500% increase in the number of missing children reported each year. According to the U.S. Department of Justice during a one year period (2002) 797,500 were report missing. That’s over 2100 missing per day across America. Many of these, over 200,000, are victims of family abductions with nearly 60,000 reported as non family abductions. Sadly, the odds of your child becoming missing in America are about 1 in 100 compared to about 1 in 10,000 that you will be involved in a car accident this year according to national statistics.
From the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children:
- Approximately one in seven youth on-line (10 to 17-years-old) received a sexual solicitation or approach over the Internet.
- Four percent (4%) received an aggressive sexual solicitation – a solicitor who asked to meet them somewhere; called them on the telephone; or sent them offline mail, money, or gifts.
- Thirty-four percent (34%) had an unwanted exposure to sexual material – pictures of naked people or people having sex.
- Twenty-seven percent (27%) of the youth who encountered unwanted sexual material told a parent or guardian. If the encounter was defined as distressing – episodes that made them feel very or extremely upset or afraid – forty-two percent (42%) told a parent or guardian.
And perhaps the most disturbing statistics, 1 in 5 girls and 1 in 10 boys will be sexually victimized by adulthood.
Child safety has been an increasing problem in the U.S. over the last 3 decades. Efforts by local and federal officials have had limited effect on this growing threat to our nations children. Child ID’s, Fingerprinting, DNA, GPS Tracking and even the Amber Alert system do nothing to prevent you child from becoming a victim of abduction or sexual assault. As a result, it is imperative that parents and concerned citizens arm themselves with the most powerful weapon against child abduction and abuse. That weapon is information. Here are some quick tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children:
What should a parent know when talking to a child about safety?
- Don’t forget your older children. Children aged 11 to17 are equally at risk to victimization. At the same time you are giving your older children more freedom, make sure they understand important safety rules as well.
- Speak to your children in manner that is calm and non-threatening. Children do not need to be frightened to get the point across. In fact, fear can thwart the safety message, because fear can be paralyzing to a child.
- Speak openly. Children will be less likely to come to you about issues enshrouded in secrecy. If they feel that you are comfortable discussing the subject at hand, they may be more forthcoming.
- Do not teach “stranger danger.” Children do not have the same understanding of “strangers” as adults; the concept is difficult for them to grasp. And, based on what we know about those who harm children, people known to children and/or their families actually present greater danger to children than do “strangers.”
- Practice what you preach. You may think your children understand your message, but until they can incorporate it into their daily lives, it may not be clearly understood. Find opportunities to practice “what if” scenarios.
- Teach your children that safety is more important than manners. In other words, it is more important for children to get themselves out of a threatening situation than it is to be polite. They also need to know that it is okay to tell you what happened, and they won’t be tattletales.
Most importantly parents and guardians need to be aware of these threats and be proactive in their approach to dealing with child safety. With the ever changing landscape of the digital age, predators are finding new and inventive ways to use the internet to gain access to children and to stay one step ahead of law enforcement. As a result, simply assuming that “it won’t happen to my child” is not enough. Communicating with your children on a regular basis about safety and staying informed are the keys to keeping your family safe.
Chad Mathews is an Independent Child Safety Agent for Child Shield U.S.A. for more free information on child safety please visit www.childshieldusa.com/ok, call 1-405-642-7820 or email me at Safechildok@yahoo.com
Filed under: Child Safety, Missing Child Prevention, Missing Children, Parenting, Uncategorized | Tagged: Child Predators, Child Safety, Child Shield USA, Family, Missing Child Prevention Program, Missing Children, Parenting, Prevention, Runaway Child | 1 Comment »
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This is a great way to help limit your child’s access (either on purpose or by accident ) to inappropriate content.