CHANGING THE MESSAGE

WRITER: JEFF GRIESEMER, CHILD RESCUE NETWORK

Change isn’t always easy, and when it comes to changing the way we think and act, the challenge increases. We like the familiar; however, sometimes the benefits of changing are so incredible that making the decision is easy. We end up wishing we’d done it earlier.

One such change, which has been slowly happening, is the way we think about protecting children from sexual abuse, abduction, and victimization, such as human trafficking.

Tragically, children are suffering trauma and abuse every single day. If ever there was a reason for change, these statistics prove it.

The phenomenal news is we can! Education is the answer. We must educate our families, our communities, and our leaders. That education starts with raising awareness of the facts. Change happens when people understand the issues and stand up to say, “Enough!”

DID YOU KNOW?

situations and give them specific action plans when possible.

Establish open lines of communication within the family.

A big part of disturbing the awful reality, as it exists, is to change the ways we think and act when it comes to protecting our children. Parents fear their child will be snatched off the streets and the “Stranger Danger” message passes that fear onto our kids.

Unfortunately, this message has some problems. The primary concern is that 93 percent of sexually victimized children KNOW their abuser! Yet for more than 30 years, we’ve focused our energies on the much rarer 7 percent.

Instead of scaring kids with misguided fears, let’s empower them! Let’s give all children the knowledge and skill sets needed to make the best decisions possible, decisions that might be life altering, if not life-saving. Let’s teach them how to apply those skills whether they are dealing with a cunning stranger or a familiar face.

EMPOWERMENT, NOT FEAR

Teach kids about the lures predators use to trick them. Teach kids how to recognize potentially dangerous

Boost your kid’s confidence and help them learn to assert themselves when necessary.

Perhaps most importantly, let’s give our children a respect and understanding of personal boundaries. Predators test boundaries to see just how far they can go with a child. A child who recognizes and appropriately reacts can stop many molesters in their tracks. These and other tips can be found at ChildRescueNetwork.org

Imagine a world where kids grow up confident in their abilities to appropriately stand up for themselves, understand and respect personal boundaries, and can communicate their feelings and experiences.

Now be a part of the change to make it happen!