PARENTS HAVE TO BE SAFETY COACHES TOO!
YOUNG GIRL FOUND AT THE BOTTOM OF LOCAL LAKE
I had planned on posting about something entirely different, until I got the bad news yesterday. A young girl, who had been abducted from her neighborhood a few days ago was found by police searchers at the bottom of Lake Wallenpaupak, a resort area located in the Poconos not far from where I live. The poor girl was tied to a weight, so, once again, I find myself pitted against the inexorable, relentless and totally unmovable force of the Chicken Hawk. The child hunter.
I have dedicated myself and much of my training to the safety of young people. Children, teenagers. In school and out of school. During the school year and, now, during Summer break.
Problem is, teachers, security, administrators, parents and students, so does the predator dedicate and commit himself to getting these children and teenagers into his clutches.
Obviously, he’s better at what he does than I.
So, what can parents and children do to protect against this miscreant? The remedy sounds simple. But, obviously, it is not. If it was, there would be no girl at the bottom of the lake.
Parents must be their child’s Safety Coach. Must always be attentive, supportive. Safety Coaches in that they must train their children constantly to:
· Always be aware of men in their environment who are paying too much attention to them.
· Always report to them whenever they are approached.
· Never, Ever leave the original scene with anyone!
· Always trust their gut instincts when someone gives them the creeps.
· Have their permission to treat adults rudely and abruptly when an adult attempts to invade their PSZ (Personal Safety Zone) without their (the child’s) permission.
· Have their permission to “Act Crazy” when approached by a person who might be trying to abduct them. Teach the child that all predators are looking for a meek, mild, and especially a quiet child. The child should be a “barrel of noise and movement.” Never freeze, or stand still. Do something!
· Never, ever allow any adult or teenager to touch them anywhere on their person, especially their “special zones (teach your child that their “Special Zones” is anywhere that would be covered by their bathing suit)!
· Never talk to any adult. If the adult asks for help with anything, understand that any “normal” adult would probably never ask a child for help.
· Leave the area as soon as the child realizes that an adult is stalking him/her in a car or on foot. Go to another “safer-looking adult,” preferably a woman with children.
· If trapped in an area with an adult, yell and move and make eye contact. Make it clear you will not be an easy target. Run in a zig-zag motion, using barricades in the environment to buy you time. Throw object at the Bad Guy’s feet.
- Whenever possible, go outside with at least one friend. Try not to ever be alone outside of the home.
In the next post, “What Your Child Must Do If Grabbed.”
Until then, Stay Safe.
Hammer