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Protecting Yourself and Your Family |
California
Department of Justice Attorney General has set forth the following
guidelines for protecting you and your family.
Child molesters
have well-developed techniques for luring victims. They are able
to seduce children with attention, affection and gifts; have hobbies and
interest appealing to children; and may show sexually explicit videos or
pictures to children. Generally, they are skilled at identifying
vulnerable victims and are able to identify better with children than
adults.
Teach your children to avoid situations that put them in danger of abuse,
molestation or abduction. Help protect your child by establishing a
home environment where your child feels safe to tell you anything, without
fear of shame, ridicule or punishment.
A safe and supportive home environment,
combined with clear instructions about what behavior is acceptable and
what is not, will guide your child's actions and encourage your child to
tell you if something improper happens.
Many parents warn their children not to
talk to strangers. But more often than not, an abuser or abductor is
known to the child. He or she can be a school bus driver, teacher,
relative, neighbor, or family friend. Many times the molestation
occurs in the home of the victim or the abuser.
It is best to teach your child to avoid
certain situations or actions. Children should know from an early
age that some behavior is not acceptable, and that they have the right to
tell an adult to leave them alone.
Here are some specific rules you can
teach your child:
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Stay away from
people who call you near their car.
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If someone tries
to take you away, yell, "This person is not my father (or mother)" and
scream.
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If you get lost in
a store, find another mom with children or go to the checkout counter.
Don't wander around on your own.
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You don't have to
keep secrets from your parents. No one can hurt your parents or
pets if you tell what happened.
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No one should
touch you in the parts covered by your bathing suit, and you should not
be asked to touch anyone there.
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Don't let anyone
take your picture without permission from your parents or teacher.
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