From the NEIGHBORHOOD GUARDIAN:


                 IT SHOULDN'T HURT TO BE A KID!


     Unfortunately, many painful experiences can happen to
children on the way to adulthood. Sometimes they are accidental
and sometimes they are inflicted deliberately by family members,
acquaintances or strangers.
     We teach children to avoid our stereotypes of dangerous
strangers. We may be overlooking a more likely source of trouble.
Often, the offender is a family member or an acquaintance. We are
reluctant to report the offense because we don't want to get that
person in trouble. Recent California legislation makes it
mandatory for most people to report known cases of child abuse.
     These cases of abuse can range from neglect to severe
physical punishment. All too often sexual abuse or exploitation
of both girls and boys will be involved.
     Remember, if you know of any case of abuse or exploitations
and do not report it to authorities, you are not helping the
victim or the offender. And, you may be in violation of the law.
     We are including a list of do's and don'ts to help you in
the role of being a responsible adult, either as a parent or
someone who works with children. Listen and talk with your
children. Perhaps the most important critical child sexual
prevention strategy for parents is good communication with your
children.

DO
Talk to your child every day and take time to really listen and
observe. Learn as many details as you can about your child's
activities and feelings. Encourage him/her to share concerns or
problems with you.

DO
Listen to your child's complaints and concerns. Children don't
come out and say, "I was molested". They say, "I don't want Suzie
to babysit anymore". "I don't want to go to Grandpa's". "I don't
like Uncle Charlie", or "My coach bothers me".

DO
Explain that his or her body belongs only to them alone and that
he or she has the right to say "NO" to anyone who might try to
touch them.

DO
Tell your child that some adults may try to hurt children and
make them do things the child may not feel comfortable doing.
Often these grownups call what they are doing a "secret" between
themselves and the child.

DO
Explain that some adults may even threaten children by saying
that their parents may be hurt or killed of the child ever shares
the secret. Emphasize that an adult who does something like this
is doing something that is wrong.

DO
Tell your child that adults whom they know, trust, and love or
someone who might be in a position of authority (babysitter,
teacher, uncle or even a police officer) might try to do
something like this. Try NOT to scare your child. Emphasize that
the vast majority of grownups never do this and that most adults
are deeply concerned about protecting children from harm.

IF YOU THINK THAT YOUR CHILD HAS BEEN ABUSED....

DO
Believe the child. Children rarely lie about child abuse.

DO
Commend the child for telling you about the experience.

DO
Convey your support for the child. A child's greatest fear is
that he or she is at fault and responsible for the incident.
Alleviating this self-blame is of paramount importance.

DON'T
Cry, scream or panic. Your child cares about you. If parents act
upset, the child will think it is his fault.

DON'T
Do anything that will hurt your child. Your actions NOW can
either help your child or psychologically scar him for life.
==================================================================
*from the San Jose's Police Dept-"Child Safety Handbook", of
                           San Jose, Ca..


 edited by: 
 
 Timothy O'Brien  
 SysOp: HOBO OUTPOST  'Replace Hope With Reality'
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