For parents, it's virtually impossible to miss the almost-daily headlines of children who are abducted, abused or even worse. Laws enacted to protect children against predators aim to empower parents with the knowledge of just who is living and working near their children. And while public support for these laws remains strong, public awareness of how to exercise the right to know afforded by the laws still needs some help. Organizations like ChildSafe Network help parents tap into public registries of sex offenders in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
"The recent renewal of interest in the JonBenet Ramsey case has many parents thinking seriously about this issue," says Rudy Smith of ChildSafe Network. "By registering online at www.childsafenetwork.org, parents have free access to the most current databases of registered sex offenders from all the states that participate in online sex offender registration."
The Web site allows parents to search and index, by name or location, any person who may possibly have contact with their children. Any parent who enrolls for a free membership can also receive a complimentary ChildSafe I.D. Kit designed to help law enforcement officials identify and rescue missing or abducted children.
ChildSafe Network offers the follow tips to help keep your children safe:
* Know where your children are at all times. Be familiar with their friends, daily activities and habits.
* Be alert to changes in your child's behavior. A sudden change may mean a child is being secretly abused.
* Be wary of adults or a teenager who pays an unusual amount of attention to your child, or who gives inappropriate or expensive gifts.
* Teach your children to trust their instincts, and that they have the right to say no to what they sense is wrong. If someone approaches or touches them in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable they should tell you right away.
* Never leave your child with a babysitter or any other individual unless they have references from people you trust or, preferably, are willing to permit a background check. Check sex offender registries, not just for your state but every one that's available since predators can move from state-to-state to avoid the law.
* Instruct children to seek a checkout counter, security office or lost and found if they get separated from you in a public place. Be sure they know not to wander around looking for you.
* Teach children to never get in a car or go anywhere with someone unless you have specifically told them that person is OK.
* Be sure children know that if someone follows them on foot or in a car, they should avoid that person. And instruct them not to help a stranger, no matter what the request - grownups who need help should ask other grownups, not young children.
To join ChildSafe Network, visit www.childsafenetwork.org.
Copyright © 2006, ARA Content
. Questions of a Do It Yourself nature should be submitted our "