Red Flags for Parents

Predators often do what is called “grooming,” which is a process of testing and training the potential victim to accept the predator’s ultimate sick goal. This method is primarily done to children in order to desensitize them to the predator’s goal.

As difficult as it might be, we as parents must acknowledge the fact that statistically 85% of victimizations of woman and children are by someone familiar to them. Observation and awareness of who is in our children’s lives, and how they interact, will help keep our children safe. Pay particular attention to the following behaviors:

- Someone continually disregarding or refusing to let your child set limits (boundaries). Predators need control. Boundaries and limits are the safety wall. The ill intentioned person will consistently push and test the limits in an effort to crack your child’s personal bubble.

- Someone that is preoccupied with your child and gives inappropriate attention. It's one thing when grandma dotes over your child and spoils him or her. It's out of place for the next door neighbor, teacher, or soccer coach to do so.

- Someone that insists on spending uninterrupted time with your child. Someone who has good intentions doesn’t care whether the parent pops in, because they have nothing to hide.

- Someone hugging, touching, tickling, wrestling, etc. against your child’s will. Often times this can look like harmless play. However, if a child says stop (even if it sounds like they're playing), that should be the end.

- The sharing of inappropriate “private” information that is normally shared with adults. This can be disguised as “our little secret.” Teach your child there are no secrets. When adults tell children private things, or to keep secrets, they must tell you.