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According to the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
58,200 children in the US were the victims of non-family abductions in
1999 alone. In an effort to help parents teach their children to take
care of themselves and to protect children from predators, Friday's
Child Publishing proudly announces the publication of the book Beware the
Unknown. Written for a target audience of children ages six to twelve,
this engaging and charming book teaches children how to become tough
targets while at the same time presenting vital and important information
in an entertaining and non-threatening manner. Publication of this book
is set for May 2003.
Subscribers of this publication will be the first to receive
information about the publication of Beware the Unknown. From time to time, we
will also be sending you tips on how to protect your children and what
you can do as a parent or guardian to keep your child safe.
Thank you for your subscription.
Important information you need to know.
1. Never allow your child to wear jewelry, or clothing or use book bags
or other items with her name on it. This makes it easy for a predator
to approach her and to pretend that he knows her by using her name.
2. Instruct your child not to speak to anyone who claims to know you or
anyone of your family members or friends when your child is alone. Your
child should get away from that person as quickly as possible and go to
a trusted adult. Predators often fool children by telling them that
they are friends of the family or have a message from a friend or family
member.
3. Establish a family pass code. In that manner, if you have a message
which you wish to convey to your child through a third party, the third
party will provide your child with the pass code. Instruct your child
never to ask a third party for the family pass code and to keep that
password secret.
4. Create a game for your child so you can present scenarios to test
his understanding of basic safety rules. The presentation should be fun
and lively so your child is not threatened by the topic, but so he
continually sharpens his skills in taking care of himself. Although it may
appear that your child understands what you have taught him, oftentimes
children have problems applying the safety rules to factual
circumstances. Beware the Unknown includes a section of ready-made scenarios to
facilitate this process for teachers, parents and guardians.
5. Instruct your child never to go with a stranger or acquaintance
anywhere alone, visit the house of a stranger or acquaintance alone or
allow a stranger or acquaintance into your house when your child is alone
without your prior knowledge and permission. Children are some times
abused by people whom they casually know. The point is to restrict
strangers and acquaintances from having "alone" time with your child.
6. Instruct your children never to accept gifts or money from strangers
or acquaintances to accompany them to a location or to keep a secret.
7. Instruct your children never to help a stranger who appears injured
or disabled. An established and successful trick of many predators is
to appear helpless to get the assistance of a child. For example, serial
killer Ted Bundy commonly pretended to have a broken arm in order to
abduct young women. It may go against your child's better nature, but not
helping someone in need may well save her life. Tell your child to run
away as fast as she can to a trusted adult if anyone who appears
injured or disabled approaches her and asks her for help.
8. Make sure your child has your cell phone number and the telephone
numbers of trusted adults memorized in case of an emergency.
9. Consider purchasing your child a cell phone for emergencies.
10. Create an open environment with your child so he feels comfortable
discussing all matters with you. This will encourage your child to
share information he may otherwise be embarrassed or shy to share with you.
11. Instruct your child to scream "Stop stranger. I don't know you.
You're not my Mom or Dad" if she is ever grabbed by anyone.
12. Instruct your child to grab onto another adult if anyone tries to
take her. Grabbing onto another adult makes that person a part of your
child's problem. Predators like to work quietly and most often will back
away from a child who attracts attention to herself.
These are just a few of the tips that are included and interwoven into
the story of Beware the Unknown. We will keep you abreast of all our
latest information.
Thank you again for subscribing.
"Beware" <btu@afreegreetingcard.com>
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