Be Prepared
Before
Like having enough fuel in your car, or a raincoat in Seattle: be prepared.
- Wear reasonable shoes that allow you to move easily. Take your cell phone with a charged battery.
- Know the admittance rules of the event you're attending, i.e.: who will be there?
- Be aware of security guards or staff that you can ask for help should you need it.
If none are immediately visible, find them.
- Talk to your kids about personal security. Role-play so they're comfortable with immediate
action. Remind them of
lessons learned in your daily life: what to do if you're separated,
if they feel icky bout something, etc.
- Discuss possible issues with another adult; two or more people can come up with more effective responses.
During
Another word for 'parent' is
bodyguard.
- Predators don't care about rules and law. Law is not a barrier, it's an
enforceable standard. You are the barrier.
- Be aware of your surroundings, trust your instincts,
and don't apologize for acting on your instincts.
- Event staff will let you know who they are before they approach your kids. Anyone else should have to go
through you; if they're credible, they'll applaud your defensive stance.
- It's legal for strangers to take a picture of your kid in public. Once they get that picture, they own
an image of your child and can do whatever they want with it. Pay attention to who is taking pictures of
whom. Take a picture of them, and let them know you do not want them to take pictures of your kid.
- If you feel threatened at any time, call 911. (Two very good reasons to carry a cell phone with a built in
camera.)
After
Spread the word.
- Talk to your kids about what
happened. Reinforce what worked,
what they did well, and give them
honest insights so they have a
clear understanding.
- Talk to your friends and community.
"Weird guy with dark hair and ugly
black hat was taking pictures of my
kids at Bell Square Park. I took a
picture of him, told him to stay
away from my kids, and then he
left. Here's the pic of what he looks
like."
- Talk to the staff or management
about whatever safety issues you
experienced. If you have concerns,
call you local law enforcement's non-
emergency number. Clarify what
your rights are as a private
individual and as a parent.
- If you're amazed by something you
learn at this stage, contact CAP,
contact your legislators, and tell
your community. There are
definitely gaps in the law, and they
won't fix themselves.
- Don't let any of this
stop you from enjoying
the day!!
Related resources
Some of our favorite prevention links: