Over a million children are abused, molested or abducted every year! Let me give you a few more statistics. The statistics are horrifying in 2014 there were 466,949 missing children in America. Granted a lot of them are separated or divorce parents taking the child. The first 3 hours are critical when trying to locate a child. More than 3/4 of violent crimes against children are either at the offenders home or at the victims home. Only one in 7 use a weapon against the child. The ICAC task forces has noted increase in complaints of child sex trafficking from 2004 to 2008. I’m sure that it’s even worse now.
Enough gloom and doom I believe in solutions. I joined the fight against those looking to harm our children by teaching child safety, stranger danger and anti-abduction techniques and awareness to children of all ages through my martial arts classes and workshops. Since then we have declared war against predators looking to harm our children.
My background in child safety and anti-abduction comes from being retired law enforcement officer, certified as a “National Security Alliance, Kid-Safe Network Agent” in 2003, and as a certifies Israeli Counter Terrorism instructor.
1. GIVE KIDS PERMISSION TO SAY NO TO ADULTS It is important for children to have the support of their parents and to realize they have ownership of their bodies and minds. There should be no forced affection. Do not force them to hug or kiss anyone including family members. If a child learns from their parents that they should kiss someone they do not want to kiss, then they begin to get confused about the proper limits of affection.
2. NO SHORTCUTS Any time a child takes a different route home, he or she is running the risk of being grabbed with no witnesses.
3. IMPORTANT INFORMATION All children should memorize their name, address and phone number. Parent’s names, cell and work numbers are also valuable information to have. Teach specific drills for dialing 911 and 0 so that the kids know what to do in case of an emergency at home. Let them know how serious it is, and that it is only for emergencies.
4. WHEN LOST We all remember a time in our childhood when we got lost and were terrified. If a child gets lost, teach them to go to the front of the store and tell someone at the register or a policeman to please call for their parents. Remaining calm is an important issue here. 5. TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS Kids have a very highly developed sixth sense. They should be taught at a young age to trust this sense. For instance, if a child tells you that a certain person gives them a bad feeling and makes them uncomfortable, believe them.
6. CODE WORD
This is VITAL! Make sure that parents and kids pick out a confidential code word! Maybe it’s not convenient, but it is life saving. Most abduction’s are done by familiar faces - friends, co-workers, even relatives. Parents should decide with their kids on a secret word that only the parent and the child know.
7. NO PERSONALIZED CLOTHING Never write your child’s name on there t-shirts, jackets or book bags where they can be seen. Write it inside the shirt and on the inside of the strap on their book bag. A predator wants recognition and familiarity. If a child’s name is called out, they may immediately let their guard down and start talking.
8. GOOD TOUCH - BAD TOUCH
This is a sensitive subject to discuss, but it gets very easy with repetition. If a child gets used to talking about this, it will then be much easier to report if it ever does occur. Let them know that “Bad
Touch” is if anyone touches their private areas where their “bathing suit covers”. Let them know if it happens that it isn’t their fault and they should tell the teacher, Mom or Dad, or any other adult that they trust.
For more information on Anta's Fitness and Self Defense Martial arts classes and summer camp that teach Child Safety/Anti-abduction please call 305 599-3649 or log on to Antamartialarts.com
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