serious for a blog-sec

I started surfing wedding disasters... looking for an interesting blog idea lol. But I got a little sidetracked by this episode of Dr Phil called Child Predators. Thought I should do my moral duty and pass on the info...

You could be sitting next to one in church or standing next to one at the grocery store. Who is trying to prey on your children? Dr. Phil goes into a maximum security prison and inside the mind of a child predator. Learn how they operate and how to spot them.

Spotting a Predator - The most dangerous pedophile might look like the person next door. A convicted child molester explains how he deceived children and their parents.

• According to David, he molested at least 100 children. To get children to trust him, he said he would talk in a high, child-like voice, and ask them about games or toys that they liked. He also said his appearance helped children feel comfortable with him. "If I was dressed in overalls and looked like a country hick, I would appeal to very few people," David explained. Instead, he says he made sure to have clothing and hair that the kids would think was "cool."
• David usually got to know the children and their families well. "The grooming process," he explains, "is the time that a pedophile takes in order to get the child ready to be molested. In my case, I don't pounce on them. I don't use money. I don't use drugs. I don't use pornography. I don't say, 'Don't tell your parents.' I look like an all-American boy."
• How can a parent spot a predator like David? He explains, "A parent can spot me when I'm going the extra mile, when I'm supposed to be doing something else. When something doesn't feel right to them, that should be a red flag, that should be a warning signal going off. As the saying goes, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is."
• If a parent is suspicious that someone is a predator, he/she should take action immediately. "Start asking questions, investigate his background, do whatever you need to do." David says. "Why am I spending so much time [with the child]? Why am I willing to do the extra things that I'm doing? Why do I caress them when I hug them?"He also warns parents about people who try to win children away from their parents with promises of gifts or money.
• David chose to be chemically castrated. Every two years he is evaluated, and may someday be released. If he got out today, would he molest children again? "Yes," he answers. "Do I want to be out before I'm ready? No, I don't."

What Parents Can Do - As scary as it may be, parents need to talk to their kids about people who might want to hurt them. The best way to protect your children is to get them involved in their own protection.

• Parents need to be aware of possible predators. Typical signs are: someone who seems too good to be true, who offers extensive help to your family, who knows too much about your kids or kids in general, especially if they don't have children of their own.
• Talk to your kids about pedophiles as soon as they can understand what you mean. As early as 3-5 years old, when kids begin to interact with the world, they're subject to being victims.
• Don't be afraid that you're scaring your kids, but don't ask them to deal with adult issues either. Speak to them in age-appropriate language and give them instructions about what to do. They will feel empowered by knowing how to protect themselves. Be careful sharing your own experiences if you were a victim of sexual molestation, for example. Providing too many details and rehashing the tragedy can create a sexually charged environment and be harmful for your children in the long run.
• Kids need to know that they have the right to say no, yell, or ask for help. It may contradict what they know about respecting adults, but if they feel threatened, they have permission to make a scene, or to run away to a public place. And they need to know they won't get into trouble if they were wrong.
• Make sure your kids know what is acceptable behavior, and what is out-of-bounds. Make sure they understand that there are private areas of their bodies that no one else should touch.
• Rehearse your child's response to danger. If he/she doesn't practice it, your child really won't really know what to do. Telling your child to yell for help isn't enough. In the face of danger, a child could forget, so rehearse, role-play, and practice what your child should do.
• Remind your children that predators don't necessarily look scary or strange. A dangerous person could look like the person next door, or even be someone they know.

Sigh. Scary stuff. This is my worst nightmare as a parent. Even beats my fear of sharks and the dark lol.

I swear, if anyone abused/hurt/threatened/maimed/looked sideways at my children, I'd go all "shoot you when you least expect it" wacko. Although a little torture might be in order first... then a shooting... perhaps a bit of a bleed out... bit more torture... you get the picture.