Important Things to Teach our Children

I work at a Children's Home and I thought I would share some things that I never new when I was growing up. I wish I knew about them.

THE TRICKS USED BY SEXUAL PREDATORS

THE APPLE OF MY EYE TRICK: This tris is on top of the list for the most insidious of all tricks because predators use the same innocent vulnerability we strive to protect in our children for purposes of methodically gaining their trust. Then by giving speciall attention to the children, they can eventually abuse them sexually. All children want love, attention and affection; this is why children are particularly vulnerable to those who are experts at grooming them with the intent to sexually abuse them.

ACCIDENTAL TOUCHING TRICK: Children are often unaware that an accidental touching may be intentional, or that an offender may be atempting to touch closer to their genitalia (private parts) the next time.

ASSISTANCE LURE TRICK: Offenders may ask a child for help with directions or carrying packages. One convicted offender stated that he liked to hand around "kiddy" hamburger restaurant bathrooms. He would abuse young boys by offering to help them with their zippers. Another type of assistance lure may be an offender who senses a role he might play by assisting a family with children. His assistance might be needed byr babysitting or for driving a child to activities. Watch out for those who are MORE interesting in your child than you are; there is a reason.

AUTHORITY TRICK: Many of us have taught our childrn to respect authority without realizing that many of the individuals who target our children take advantage of their position such as a teaching, a coach, a religious leader or a club leader.

DESENSITIZE TRICK: Offenders may continually talk to children about sex or use pornography to demonstrate sexual acts. They may arouse a child's curiosity by leaving sexual material and aids around where the child may see them.

DRUG AND ALCOHOL TRICK: Drugs or alcohol can be used to incapacitate or weaken a child, making them highly vulnerable to sexual abuse.

EMERGENCY TRICK: Crisis can be confusing for young children and offenders count on that, so they may construct an emergency to lure children.

FAME TRICK: Promises are made by offenders to make the child a movie star, or a music star.

FRIENDSHIP TRICK: Older children may bribe a younger child (or same age) by saying that they will not be their friend anymore unless they participate in a sexual act.

HERO TRICK/SPECIAL PRIVILEGES TRICK: (Coach/Teacher/Person in a Position of Authority) Children are often impressed with those individual they look up to - such as those in a position of authority like a coach, teacher, or older cousin. They may endure abuse to maintain a relationship where they are receiving special previleges for favors.

"I KNOW YOU" TRICK: Do not write your child's name on the outside of any of their clothing or items they use outside of their home such as backbacks or lunchboxes. this gives the offender an opportunity to use the child's name and make your child feel a though they know them.

INTERNET TRICK: The internet is a preying ground for sex offenders trying to lure victims. Offenders will try to get specific information from your child without directly asking for it. They may ask if your child plays on sports teams which can lead to a discussion of where your child played these games. Ultimately, they try to set up a meeting. Predgators on the internet may also transmit pornography to your child.

JOB TRICK: Promises by offenders of high paying jobs easily influence young adults into meeting indiviuals in questionable places for interviews where they may be sexually abused. Young children may be offered hig pay for odd jobs inside an offenders' house where they too may be sexually abused.

LEGITIMACY TRICK: There are a few organizations that promote sexual relations with children and attempt to legitimize this activity - they may attempt to convice a child that sex with an adult is a legitimate activity.

OUTING TRICK: An offender may continually attempting to take a child out alone for special trips or outing and insists that no one else attend. A peiatricain in New Your, who ws convicted of sexually abusing many of his patients, would take often them away for weekends. Parents trusted him because he was will liked and perceived as the pillar of the community

PET TRICK: Similar to the assistance lure, the offender may ask a child to help find his lost dog or cat. They may carry props such as a photo of dog and a leash.

TEACHING TRICK: Assistance is offered to a family to help teach a child a sport or how to play a musical instrument, often without cost. Parents from across the nation have also noticed that sexual predators may be working as driving school instructors.

THREAT TRICK: Children may be threatened into cooperation and further silenced. Once the abuse has taken place, they treatened to expose the child either to their parents or to their friends. The offender may threaten the abused child into then recruiting other children.

COSTUME TRICK: Most volunteers who dress up as clowns, cartoon characters or as Santa Claus during the holiday season are not pedophiles attempting to access children. However, you should always be aware that there are pedophiles attempting to access children. However, you should always be aware that there are pedophiles that would do anything to get at kids.

GAMES TRICK: Body contact games such as srestling are played where touching genitalia (the private parts) is part of the rules of the game.