Stranger Awareness

by Ray Bennett

"Stranger Awareness" and "Stranger Danger" may seem like just popular buzzwords, but the concept is a very real threat to children and should be a very real concern to parents. In 2000, 900,000 missing persons were reported of which about 90% were children. It is estimated that about 100 children are murdered each year through abductions.

It is important for parents to talk to their children about stranger awareness. It's not just enough to tell your children "Don't talk to strangers." Ask your child if he or she understands what a stranger is. A stranger to a child may be someone who "looks strange". They may not understand that a stranger is someone you don't know.

Practice stranger awareness exercises. Point out someone you and your child don't know while you're out in public. Ask your child if that is a stranger. Run through scenarios that a child predator might use. Say to your child "What if some you don't know asks you to help them find their lost kitten?" Ask them what they'd do if they offer them candy or toys. Or ask them what they'd do if someone they didn't know tried to take them home and said that you had asked them to. The answer should be that they'd run to an adult that they do know and tell them about the situation.

If a stranger tries to physically take them, they should know to kick and scream the word NO and call as much attention to the situation as they can. Martial Arts classes are good for this, especially if the child is typically withdrawn, for it helps them to get comfortable with such actions.

Don't assume your child knows what to do, and don't assume your child would react the same way you would in a situation. Ask your child if they know what to do if approached by a stranger and if they know a safe place to go. Make sure they know their name, phone number, and address. Make sure they know not to open the door if they are home alone.