Tips for protecting your child from a sexual predator
Never leave your child unattended; try to be involved in your childs activities, a sexual predator will utilize the fact your child is alone to their advantage.
Listen when your child conveys unwillingness to be with a certain person, there might be a very good reason for this which you should know about and bring attention to. Inquire as to the specific reasons the child does not want to be with that person, especially alone.
Be attentive if someone shows a curious heightened interest in your child and investigate why. Whether it be a friend or family member, make sure this interest in justified and genuinely innocent in nature. A potential sex offender will go out of their way to get a child alone.
Pay attention to changes in your childs attitute or behavior and be sure to encourage open unbiased communications. Never belittle or disregard any fear or concern your child may express to you. Chances are if your child is a victim of a sexual predator than they will be able to alert you without actually saying it outright
Educate them on their "private" areas and how to respond should those areas be threatened in any way.
Have a set plan and practiced plan with your child outline what to do in the event they should become separated from you, including knowing their own full name, address, and phone number.
Do not purchase personal items which have your childs name on them such as t-shirts, hats, jackets, etc. A possible sexual predator and potential offender can utilize this to address them personally and use them as a way of gaining trust. "Hi bobby, your mom sent me to pick you up..."
Instruct your child to alert you immediately should another adult ever ask them to "keep a secret" or provide them with suspicious gifts or money. Or possibly want to take their picture.
Explain the idea of the buddy system and encourage them to follow it. A child is most vulnerable to a sexual predator when they are alone
Teach them to yell for "HELP!" and not just scream should they find themselves in an uncomfortable situation
Teach the child the concept of "too good to be true" so they become suspicious when someone offers them something, or asks them into their vehicle or home...
Most importantly, TEACH THEM TO STAY AWAY FROM STRANGERS. Instruct them not to talk to them, not accept gifts, certainly never go anywhere with them. Instruct them to challenge them, if someone approaches them saying they are friends of yours, establish a "password" which only you and them would know in case of emergencies or other situations where having someone they dont know pick them up is absolutely necessary.
It's also a good idea to have them registered with your local IDENT-A-Kid, and Ch.I.P. programs. Inquire at your local law enforcement station for further information on these programs.
Megan's Law - Information on Registered Sex Offenders
Registered first into California law, Assembly Bill 488 (Nicole Parra), sponsored by the Attorney General now provides the public with Internet access to detailed information on registered sex offenders.
This expanded access allows the public for the first time to use their personal computers to view information on sex offenders required to register with local law enforcement under California's Megan's Law. Previously, the information was available only by personally visiting police stations and sheriff offices or by calling a 900 toll-number. The new law was given final passage by the Legislature on August 24, 2004 and signed by the Governor on September 24, 2004.
For more than 50 years, California has required sex offenders to register with their local law enforcement agencies. However, information on the whereabouts of these sex offenders was not available to the public until the implementation of the Child Molester Identification Line in July 1995. The information available was further expanded by California's Megan's Law in 1996 (Chapter 908, Stats. of 1996).
California's Megan's Law provides the public with certain information on the whereabouts of sex offenders so that members of our local communities may protect themselves and their children. Megan's Law is named after seven-year-old Megan Kanka, a New Jersey girl who was raped and killed by a known child molester who had moved across the street from the family without their knowledge. In the wake of the tragedy, the Kanka's sought to have local communities warned about sex offenders in the area. All states now have a form of Megan's Law.
The law is not intended to punish the offender and specifically prohibits using the information to harass or commit any crime against any registered offender listed.