Northern Light Pediatrics-Newsletter

Teach children to take the threat of kidnapping seriously

The kidnapping of a child is one of the most devastating events that can happen to a family.

An estimated 797,500 children were reported missing in 1999, and approximately 58,200 of those children were abducted by strangers, according to the Second National Incidence Studies of Missing, Abducted, Runaway, and Thrownaway Children.

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) says that communication between parents and children about the dangers of abduction is one of the best ways to protect children from being kidnapped. Parents should teach children to be aware of their surroundings and to take the threat of kidnapping seriously.

The NCMEC advises parents to take the following precautions to safeguard their children from kidnappers:
- Know where your children are at all times. This involves being familiar with children's friends and classmates, as well as their daily routine and schedule of after-school activities.

Talk openly to children about safety so that they truly understand the need for precautions. Children are more likely to be cautious if they understand why it is important, as opposed to just following orders.
Children should be taught to trust their own feelings. They need to know that it is OK to trust their instincts and that they have the right to say no when they sense something is wrong.
Look for changes in children's behavior. If there is a noticeable change in a child's demeanor, parents should talk to him or her about what caused these changes.

The NCMEC also advises parents to create "what if" scenarios to make sure children understand what to do in a real situation. Parents should advise children to yell and scream if someone tries to take them somewhere and shout as loudly as possible, "This man (woman) is trying to take me away," or "This person is not my father (mother)."

The NCMEC also recommends that parents teach children important phone numbers and places to go in case of an emergency.

-Nicole L. Joseph
2004 American Academy of Pediatrics