A child predator employs many tricks and lures to steal away your child. The following are a few examples of the most common.
* A stranger may quickly approach the victim. This element of surprise does not allow the child to think about what is happening and get away.
* A stranger may pose as an authority figure (police, fireman, security) and ask the child to leave with them.
* A stranger may try to bribe the child with money, candy, toys, cute pets, etc.
* A stranger may tell the child there is a crisis such as family illness and say a parent told them to pick the child up.
* A stranger may approach with compliments to appeal to the child’s ego.
* A stranger may approach with false caring, promise or knowing child’s name if noted on the child’s possessions (shirt, backpack, toy).
* A stranger may suggest playing games.
* A stranger may ask for help, such as directions or help to find a lost pet.
* A stranger may fake an injury requesting help.
* Children often idolize adults, allowing false trust. Strangers prey on this false trust. It’s okay to tell children not to trust an adult. Trust needs to be earned, not given freely.
* A stranger may try to lure a child by asking the child to do work for the stranger.
* Important clip to watch with your child:
Stranger abductions are quite rare. In fact, statistics show that it’s more likely your child could be kidnapped by a family member or someone they know. However, it is important to talk to your child about abductions. You don’t need to scare them, just empower them.
Most of us parents think that our child would not walk off willingly with a stranger. Please watch the above listed clip from Oprah – you might be surprised.
I remember hearing about a child that was grabbed on his way home from school. A car pulled up and the driver got out and walked around to grab the child. The boy was riding his bike. The boy was very smart – he refused to let go of the bike. The stranger could not maneuver getting the boy and the bike in the car. It became such as struggle – that the stranger gave up. Wow! If we could only teach all of our kids to be quick thinking like that. That is why I feel like we need to practice, practice, practice! Put your child in different scenarios. Talk to them about what they should do or what they could do to obtain help or draw attention to themselves.
-Jenny