7 steps to protect our children

[RedRowan]

 I have just finished reading a book titled The Kindness of Strangers by Kathryn Kittle.  It is a disturbing book to read because of the subject matter, but I believe it is a book that you should read if you have children, or are involved with children in any capacity such as coaching, teaching, babysitting etc.

The book tells the fictional but believable story of a family touched by child sexual abuse.  It is difficult to read because it details the way pedophiles "groom" their victims and hide in plain sight.   Each chapter is told from the perspective of four different characters (none is the pedophile), giving insight into their states of mind as they process the abuse and deal with the emotions and fallout afterwards.

At the end of the book is information on protecting our children and a website that is essential reading,  darkness2light.org

According to the website, one in four girls and one in six boys will be sexually abused by the time they turn 18 years old.   As adults, we are responsible for protecting them.  Yes, teach them how to protect themselves, but also, educate yourself so you can better protect them.

Visit the website, be vigilant, be proactive!

Here are the Seven Steps:

The answers to stopping this plague are responsibility and courage.

The Darkness To Light training session makes you acknowledge some uncomfortable realities. But it also deputizes each participant to become part of the solution.

By learning the facts. Could you spot an abuser?

By minimizing opportunity. Abusers groom their victims and their families before they act.

By talking about it. Kids don't know they can say no.

By staying alert. Learn how to spot signs of abuse.

By making a plan. Believe the child. Very few reported incidents are false.

By acting on suspicions. Trust your intuition. Ask questions.

By getting involved. This is a huge human challenge that can be impacted by collective power if you know what to do.

Sadly, child abuse is a generational curse. But it can be stopped if we shine a light on the problem and expose it. Abusers depend on our innocence. They hide in plain sight.

[saltycoqui]

Mar. 31, 2010 at 12:01 AM

Sounds very informative! I voted pop!