Protecting Your Kids From Crime

Protecting your kids 

Children are easily the most vulnerable of our community, and living in any community can easily be your biggest risk or your biggest asset in protecting them.  And while teens seem to and think they are fully capable of taking care of themselves, they are often at risk of more serious crimes.

While you cannot be with them every minute, there are some very sound ways that you can help protect your kids from those who would do them harm.

Do research

Did you know that North Carolina has a sex offender registry that you can access online for free?  You can search by zip code or county and access all sorts of data on those who have been convicted of sex related crimes and are out and about.  The website includes pictures, addresses, and a lot of information about the person.  Who's in YOUR neighborhood?

Click here to search the registry

Know your neighbors

Most folks that live in our area are great people with families of their own and have much the same ideals that you do.  Do you know them and do they know your kids?

When your neighbors know you, they are also more aware of your child and who is talking to them.  Enlist your neighbors as friends and mutually keep an eye on each other's kids.

Keep in mind though that even predators have neighbors.  When you've checked the registry above, would you recognize one of these as your neighbors if you saw them?  

While getting to know your neighbors isn't a foolproof way to identify sexual predators and those who would otherwise do you or your kids harm, intuition can go a long way in identifying risks.  It's also a bit less likely that someone will threaten your child if they know you to be a conscientious parent who looks and asks questions.  

Know where your kids are

It may seems silly to your adolescent that his parents want to know where he's going and with whom.  But ask anyway and then verify.  Not only does it show you care, it helps keep them accountable and it keeps you connected.  

Predators need to keep secrets.  The less you know, the more secrets you allow others to have.  If you don't know where your kids are and a predator does, he's got an advantage over you.

Know your kids' friends and their parents

Many parents make the assumption that parents who live in the same neighborhood or those who have kids who are friends of their kids are, think just like they do.  That may be a dangerous assumption.  

Get to know the parents where your kids play.  Make sure that their home and the way they live is suitable and not a risk to your child.  And don't be afraid to say no.  If you are uncomfortable about where your child wants to play, turn down the offer.  It's not worth the risk and your child must be your primary concern over the feelings of someone else.

Set boundaries and time limits

Describe the geographic limits where your child is allowed to play.  If they are young, you might limit to your yard and the next door neighbor.  That way, you can also check to see that they are okay and haven't wandered into danger.  

Older kids and even teens need limits too.  Very few good things happen late at night.  When teens are out past curfew, not only are they in violation of the law, they are at greater risk and encounter more temptations.  Remember, teens get in trouble, hurt and abducted as well.  It's easier to keep kids out of trouble than to get them out of trouble.

Control the computer 

Your computer can be one of your biggest assets, but it can also be a very big danger.  Good kids can get sucked into bad things, and sometimes, they don't even know it.  Teen chat rooms at AOL and other large venues are big places where predators hang out, pretending they are also teens.  They are very skilled at sounding like another 14 or 16 year old, they know the lingo, the bands, and they can trick information out of people without ever realizing that they gave it up.  If your kids want to use chatrooms, encourage them to use local chatrooms like the ones here on SardisRoads.com

Keep your computer where you can see the screen like in a family room.  A computer that is behind a closed door might seem like a good idea, but it is a portal to an outside world that you don't want your kid fully exploring.

If you have questions as to who they are talking to online, ask!  You have the right.  

Keep open communication with your child

This takes practice.  Don't assume that your child will come to you if they are approached or touched inappropriately.  They may be concerned that you will be angry, that you are upset with them, or they might just be embarrassed.  Your kids need to know that it's okay to talk to you about stuff they feel uncomfortable about.

Start this communication early.  Parents often assume that their kids know less than they do and that they wouldn't be at risk.  Kids are at risk from an early age.  Talk to them soon and often.