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^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
     As  a society, our efforts to prevent crimes against
children have not  kept pace  with  the increasing
vulnerability of our  youngest  citizens.   After hearing 
the  tragic  stories about abducted  or  exploited 
children,  most Americans  are surprised to learn that
many crimes against children  CAN  BE PREVENTED.   This
brochure is about child protection.  The messages in 
this guide,   however,  can  be  different  from  other 
safety  and   prevention instructions you have read.
     The most important key to child safety is effective
communication with  your child.  Remember, children who
are not listened to or who do not have  their needs met
in the home are more vulnerable to abduction or
exploitation.  The first  step  you should take is to
establish an atmosphere in  the  home  in which your
child feels truly comfortable in discussing sensitive
matters and in relating experiences in which someone may
have approached the child in an inappropriate  manner  or
in a way that made the child  uncomfortable.   The simple
truth is that children are often too afraid or too
confused to report their  experiences  and their fears. 
In some ways, you  should  treat  your children  as  you
would your adult friends~allow them to talk  freely 
about their likes and dislikes, their friends, their true
feelings.
     Unfortunately, the rising awareness of crimes
against children has left many families with a real sense
of fear.  You and your child need to be  careful, but 
you  do  NOT  need to be afraid.  Talk to your  child  in 
a  calm  and reasonable  manner, being careful not to
discuss the frightening details  of what might happen to
a child who does not follow the safety guidelines.
     
THE EXPLOITER OR ABDUCTOR:  NOT A ""STRANGER"
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
     "Stay  away  from  strangers" is a popular warning
to  children  to  prevent abduction  or  exploitation.  
Unfortunately,  however,  many  children  are abducted 
or exploited by people who have some type of familiarity
with  the children but who may or may not be known to the
parents.
     The term STRANGER suggests a concept that children
do not understand and  is one that ignores what we do
know about the people who commit crimes  against
children.   It  misleads children into believing that
they should  be  aware only of individuals who have an
unusual or slovenly appearance.  Instead, it is  more
appropriate to teach our children to be on the lookout
for  certain kinds of SITUATIONS or ACTIONS rather than
certain kinds of individuals.
     Children can be raised to be polite and friendly,
but it is okay for them to be  suspicious  of  any adult   h)        0*0*0*  asking for assistance.   Children  help  other children, 
but there is no need for them to be assisting  adults.  
Children should  not  be  asked to keep special secrets
from their  parents  and,  of course,  children  should
not be asked to touch anyone in the  bathing  suit areas
of their body or allow anyone to touch them in those
areas.
     Often exploiters or abductors initiate a seemingly
innocent contact with the victim.   They may try to get
to know the children and befriend them.   They use 
subtle  approaches that both parents and children should
be  aware  of.  Children  should  learn to stay away from
individuals in cars or  vans;  and they should know that
it is okay to say NO~even to an adult.
     Remember, a clear, calm, and reasonable message
about SITUATIONS and ACTIONS to  look  out  for is easier
for a child to  understand  than  a  particular profile
or image of a "stranger."
     
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PREVENT CHILD ABDUCTION AND
EXPLOITATION                                 
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
     Know  where your children are at all times.  Be
familiar with their  friends and daily activities.
     Be sensitive to changes in your children's behavior;
they are a signal  that you should sit down and talk to
your children about what caused the changes.
     Be alert to a teenager or adult who is paying an
unusual amount of attention to your children or giving
them inappropriate or expensive gifts.
     Teach  your children to trust their own feelings,
and assure them that  they have the right to say NO to
what they sense is wrong.
     Listen  carefully  to your children's fears, and be
supportive in  all  your discussions with them.
     Teach your children that no one should approach them
or touch them in a  way that  makes them feel
uncomfortable.  If someone does, they should tell  the
parents immediately.
      Be  careful about babysitters and any other
individuals who have custody  of your children.

     BASIC RULES OF SAFETY FOR CHILDREN
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
     As  soon  as  your children can articulate a
sentence, they  can  begin  the process  of  learning 
how  to  protect  themselves  against  abduction  and
exploitation.  Children should be taught:
     If you are in a public place, and you get separated
from your parents, don't wander  around  looking for
them.  Go to a checkout  counter,  the  security office,
or the lost and found and quickly tell the person in
charge that you have lost your mom and dad and need help
in finding them.   h)        0*0*0*  Ԍ     You  should  not get into a car or go anywhere with
any person  unless  your parents have told you that it is
okay.
     If someone follows you on foot or in a car, stay
away from him or her.   You don't need to go near the car
to talk to the people inside.
     Grownups and other older people who need help should
not be asking  children for help; they should be asking
older people.
     No one should be asking you for directions or to
look for a "lost puppy"  or telling  you that your mother
or father is in trouble and that he will  take you to
them.
     If  someone tries to take you somewhere, quickly get
away from him (or  her) and yell or scream.  "This man is
trying to take me away" or "This person is not my father
(or mother)."
     You should try to use the "buddy system" and never
go places alone.
     Always ask your parents' permission to leave the
yard or play area or to  go into someone's home.
     Never  hitchhike or try to get a ride home with
anyone unless  your  parents have told you it is okay to
ride with him or her.
     No  one  should ask you to keep a special secret. 
If he or she  does,  tell your parents or teacher.
     If  someone  wants to take your picture, tell him or
her NO  and  tell  your parents or teacher.
     No  one  should touch you in the parts of the body
covered  by  the  bathing suit, nor should you touch
anyone else in those areas.  Your body is special and
private.
     You can be assertive, and you have the right to say
NO to someone who  tries to  take you somewhere, touches
you, or makes you feel uncomfortable in  any way.
     
     DETECTING SEXUAL EXPLOITATION
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
     Sexual  exploitation should not be confused with
physical contacts that  are true expressions of
affection.  A warm and healthy relationship can exist if
adults  respect  the  child and place reasonable limits 
on  their  physical interaction.
     Child molesting is often a repeat crime.  Many kids
are victimized a  number of  times.   The reality of
sexual exploitation is that often the  child  is very
confused, uncomfortable, and unwilling to talk about the
experience  to parents,  teachers, or anyone else.  But
they will talk if you have  already established  an 
atmosphere of trust and support in your  home,  where 
your child will feel free to talk without fear of
accusation, blame, or guilt.
        (        0*0*0*  Ԍ     Parents should be alert to the indicators of sexual
abuse:
     Changes  in  behavior,  extreme mood swings, 
withdrawal,  fearfulness,  and excessive crying.
     Bedwetting, nightmares, fear of going to bed, or
other sleep disturbances.
     Acting  out inappropriate sexual activity or showing
an unusual interest  in sexual matters.
     A sudden acting out of feelings or aggressive or
rebellious behavior.
     Regression to infantile behavior.
     A fear of certain places, people, or activities,
especially being alone with certain people.  Children
should not be forced to give affection to an adult 
or  teenager if they do not want to.  A desire to avoid
this may indicate  a problem.
     Pain, itching, bleeding, fluid, or rawness in the
private areas.
     
CHILD PROTECTION IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EVERYONE
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
     Because children cannot look out for themselves, it
is our responsibility to look  out for them.  Every home
and school should establish a  program  that effectively 
teaches  children about safety and protection measures. 
As  a parent,  you should take an active interest in your
children and  listen  to them.   Teach your children that
they can be assertive in order  to  protect themselves
against abduction and exploitation.
     And,  most  important,  make your home a place of 
trust  and  support  that fulfills  your child's needs so
that he or she won't seek love  and  support from someone
else.
     If  you  would like additional materials published
by the  National  Center, please  write  to the National
Center for Missing  and  Exploited  Children,
Publications  Department,  2101  Wilson  Boulevard, 
Suite  550,  Arlington, Virginia 22201-3052.
     If  you have information about the location of a
missing child, please  call this  number: 1-800THELOST
(1-800-843-5678).  The TDD line  is  1-800-8267653.  The
National Center's business number is (703) 235-3900.