Stranger Danger Taught Correctly

The term stranger danger has been used like a fashion accessory. There are of course dangers your child is exposed to when alone and approached by a person he doesn't know. The stranger danger label however makes any stranger a potential kidnapper, abductor, or rapist. Venture into the world at your own risk kids, but get approached by a stranger, and that's the end of your life as you know it.

Stranger Danger has got to be taught correctly. Your child's confidence has to be based on a certain amount of security. We shouldn't have to take away the building blocks of his confidence at such a young age by representing strangers as potential killers. Open communication by parents should encourage the idea that most people whom you may come into contact with in a day-to-day setting are fine and children are absolutely secure in such above board transactions. In fact, we are very lucky in Perth to be living in a very safe environment. Therefore children should really proceed with confidence, and to participate actively and converse freely when you're at the shops, the bank, or at restaurants. They should know there 'good' strangers out there - like policemen, teachers, shop keepers, even politicians(!), etc. 

However, children should also be equipped with the knowledge that there are potentially dangerous situations. Really - no one, not even adults, wants to be abducted or victimised. But this is a fact of life, and we need to understand that there are bad people in the world. What we can do is to focus on the choices that we make as individuals and as a family in order to reduce such risks and to continue to lead our lives to its fullest potential. Meaning we're not going to let our fears ruin our lives; we will not be taken hostage by faceless unknown assailants. 

There is of course the need to communicate to your child the threat that comes from 'bad' strangers. You should teach your child to trust their instinct. Are you scared? Does something feel wrong? Do you have butterflies in your stomach? This is a good indication that the person you're talking with is doing something not right and you may be in danger. Don't ignore that nagging feeling - a person who makes you feel uncomfortable is a person who you should get away from. All of the rules they have been taught about being polite, helping out a person in distress, or keeping a secret - all of them must be ignored and the child should seek to escape as soon as possible.

Some tips to help with child safety:

• Always know your mum's name and contact number in case of emergency
• Don't go alone, always go in pairs anywhere
• Trust your instincts - run if you need to
• If you feel uncomfortable, you never need to speak to any stranger

For more information check out Self Defence for Children.

If a stranger tries to grab you and tries to drag you away (see 10 Tips to Improve Child Safety), the child should be taught to drop down to the floor and 'become heavy.' Don't let any stranger drag you away. Kick with your legs and wrap your body around anything solid - if there are no benches around or bushes, wrap yourself around the stranger's legs and scream loudly. 

Links

• Stranger Danger
• Child Safety in the Face of an Aggressor
• Child Safety Means Self Defence Training
• No One Wants to be a Victim

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