Family Talk: Protecting Against Child Predators

It seems that everywhere you turn lately, the whole Penn State fiasco is in your face. On television, in print, and online, the case is a daily reminder of the horrors that can occur to kids.

Being a somewhat overprotective parent, I think of my kids as being safe from . I don't leave my kids in the care of people I don't know and trust and of the few people that I do entrust my kids to, they are a very small number that is comprised mostly of family.

I think a lot of the times parents do a great job of teaching kids about those big bad strangers and what to do when they are approached by someone they don't know. The sad reality is that most kids who are sexually abused are victims of people they, and their parents, know and trust. Hearing of cases where trusted adults completed the most unforgiveable transgressions against kids worries me to no end.

I don't believe that any parent, in their right mind, would ever knowing allow something like that to happen, and yet it happens every day, and to those who are usually least expecting it. So, how do we, as parents, protect our children from child predators? What steps should we take to ensure our childrens' safety and well-being? Does it entail never trusting any other adults?

I don't think that going to the extreme of not trusting anyone is the right answer. I think educating yourself, and your children is key. There are signs to watch out for with child predators. If someone is overtly eager to have time alone with my child, that is a red flag. If someone is visibly spending more time with kids than they are with adults, that is also a red flag. Of course, yet another red flag is when someone is very "touchy feely" (for lack of a better term) with kids.

I think it is important that kids not only understand proper boundaries, but that they know that their boundaries should be respected by adults. I have regular, impromptu, talks with my kids about what is and isn't appropriate when it comes to interactions with adults. I also reiterate that they should always alert me if those boundaries are crossed, no matter what they are told, or think the consequences might be.

Too many times we not only have cases of abuse, but also years of secrecy surrounding the acts. I think that repitition is key when it comes to these issues. I think kids need to be reminded of what is and isn't appropriate, as well as what to do if something inappropriate has taken place.

What measures do you take to educate your children, and yourself, about child predators? Do you have regular talks about the issue? Are there factors that you go by when deciding whether or not someone is deemed trustworthy to care for your child?