| The world is a dangerous place; it is NOT the | | | | your child inappropriately does your child know |
| same place where we grew up. Here are some | | | | that she should speak up and speak up loudly? Is |
| chilling facts: | | | | your child comfortable speaking with you? |
| - If you live in the suburbs, a pedophile or | | | | - Does your child know that you would rather |
| registered sex offender probably lives within one | | | | have an embarrassing misunderstanding with an |
| mile of your family. If you live in an urban | | | | adult than have your child feel uncomfortable |
| environment, the pedophile lives much closer. | | | | around that adult? Parents would rather hear, |
| There is a high probability that a pedophile is within | | | | "Get away from me you creep!" than "I let him |
| one mile of your child at all times. | | | | touch me because I was being polite and I didn't |
| - One in three women and one in four men will | | | | want to offend him." |
| become the victim of violent crime in his or her | | | | - If your child is separated from you does she |
| lifetime. | | | | know to immediately latch on to the nearest |
| - 73% of violent crime occurs within five miles of | | | | mother with children and ask for help? |
| the victim's home. | | | | Teach your kids street smarts, and how to |
| - A robbery occurs every 59 seconds. | | | | remain alert and tuned-in to their surroundings. |
| - A rape occurs every six minutes. | | | | Don't be in denial. Thirty years ago it was safe to |
| - One out of every 100 households will have an | | | | walk home from school, to the local YMCA or to |
| automobile stolen and 2% of them will be by | | | | a friend's house. It was safe for four-year olds to |
| carjacking. | | | | play in the yard or ride a bike down the side walk. |
| - More than 35,000 children are forcibly abducted | | | | Not today. |
| each year. | | | | Preparing children for what they will hopefully |
| - One in 12 women is stalked at some time in her | | | | never encounter is a gift. There are simple ways |
| life. Last year, nearly 1,007,000 women were | | | | to empower children and give them the tools |
| stalked. | | | | they need to stay safe. A family's best line of |
| - 80% of all restraining orders attained against | | | | defense is education. |
| stalkers are violated. | | | | Purchasing a family self-defense kit is a way for |
| Given these statistics it is critical that we | | | | the whole family to learn basic self-defense |
| safeguard our children and families against harm. | | | | together. Enrolling your kids in a martial arts school |
| From an early age children of course need to be | | | | further teaches survival skills and builds |
| taught basic safety information such as their full | | | | self-confidence; most martial arts instructors are |
| name, address, phone number and parent cell | | | | very careful not to give children a false sense of |
| phone. They also need some information that | | | | security. Instructors instead stress the message |
| parents twenty years ago did not need. | | | | that children can't overpower adults, but can |
| Most parents have not earned a black belt; even | | | | make a scene and get the attention of adults |
| fewer are martial arts instructors. Parents still | | | | nearby. |
| have an obligation to prepare their children to face | | | | Establish an on-going dialogue with your children |
| the potential dangers that lurk outside of the | | | | about safety. Let your children practice yelling, |
| home, and that are creeping into the home via | | | | "NO!" Give your children a voice. Create an |
| the internet. | | | | atmosphere of trust that allows children to come |
| Parents must know the basics of self-defense | | | | to you if they are feeling uncomfortable. Be your |
| and how to teach self-defense to children. Kids | | | | child's advocate, this means keeping your eyes |
| should learn the "red flags" that signify an | | | | and ears open to possible dangerous situations. |
| inappropriate conversation or a potentially | | | | Face uncomfortable situations head-on, without |
| dangerous encounter. | | | | shame and make sure to use clear language. |
| - For example, have you told your child that | | | | Listen to your inner voice; it alerts you when you |
| adults never ask children for help? If an adult asks | | | | face a potentially threatening situation. Time and |
| your child for help, she needs to know that is a | | | | time again when people are interviewed after an |
| warning to run away. | | | | encounter with a predator they say that they |
| - Does your child know how to make a scene? | | | | knew something was wrong, if only they had |
| Have you taught her to yell and scream, kick, | | | | listened to that little voice saying, "Get away!" If a |
| scratch, bite, and strike at the body's vulnerable | | | | coach, neighbor, teacher, family member etc. |
| spots? | | | | seems creepy, LISTEN!!!!! |
| - Have you assured her that you will not get mad | | | | The message here is not to live in terror, |
| at her if she yells, "Get away from me!", if she | | | | worrying that every stranger is a predator and |
| feels threatened by a stranger? | | | | that danger lurks around every corner. Parents |
| - Is your child aware that other children can be | | | | certainly do not want to rob their children of their |
| predators? Child on child molestation is one the | | | | innocence or give them free floating anxiety. The |
| most common forms of molestation. Children who | | | | point is that by equipping the family with |
| have been abused by an adult will often go from | | | | knowledge and teaching the skills necessary to |
| victim to abuser. | | | | assess and react appropriately to danger, families |
| - Does your child know how to listen to that inner | | | | take back their power. Giving children a voice and |
| voice that says something is amiss, and get away | | | | some skills stacks the deck in their favor. The |
| quickly? | | | | knowledge that children are prepared in turn gives |
| - If a family member or family friend touches | | | | parents piece of mind. |