Protecting children from child molesters is important to parents, teachers and communities. Many children are taught to never talk to strangers but not all strangers are bad. A stranger doesn't necessarily equate that the person is a child molester. On the other hand, someone the child knows well may very well be a child molester. Children need to understand which actions are inappropriate and what situations to avoid.
Step 1
Talk to your child about certain situations where it is okay to speak to a stranger and circumstances where it's not. Explain to your child that it is never okay to get into a vehicle with an unknown adult. Create a password with your child that another adult would need to know in order for your child to trust the unknown adult in event of an emergency. Perhaps the password is "cardboard;" when picking up the child, the unknown adult could say, "Your mom asked me to pick you up today and told me to say 'cardboard' so you know it's safe." Inform your child that he must never give the password out to anyone for any reason.
Step 2
Interview neighbors and other parents before allowing your child to play in their home. By interviewing, or at least meeting them, you can gain insight on their characteristics and personality. Use caution, though, as child molesters and predators often act like normal people, according to KidsHealth. Consider meeting your neighbors or other parents a few times before allowing your child to play in their home. Children often suffer sexual abuse from close relatives or family friends, according to HelpGuide.org.
Step 3
Teach your child about normal and abnormal behaviors and what is acceptable and what is not. It's not possible to protect your child from child molesters at all times, according to KidsHealth. When your child knows what to look for, she can help protect herself in times when you're not present. Let your child know that if she were to be touched inappropriately, it is never her fault. Children may not tell parents, teachers or other trusted adults about inappropriate behavior due to shame and embarrassment.
Step 4
Conduct an online search of registered sex offenders in your area. Sex offender registries are public record. Use a search engine for a local listing of sex offenders in your neighborhood and avoid allowing your child anywhere near the sex offender's place of business or home.
Tips and Warnings
- Always know your child's whereabouts. Develop a trusting relationship with your child so that if a problem arises, he will feel comfortable talking to you about it.
- Child molesters can stalk children by watching them at school, at home or even online.
