Stranger Danger or Strange Behaviours

Stranger danger or strange behaviours? With 90% of sexual abuse cases being committed by someone known to the child, it would be great to educate our children that strangers can be the most kind-hearted and caring people, I am a stranger to a lot of children, however I am a safe adult and if you are reading this, it’s most likely that you are too.

Yes, there are some strangers that a dangerous but unfortunately people in our own family can be just as dangerous and cause significant damage, hard to hear, I know, but I have experienced this from a family member.

With the right education around strange behaviours by whoever is doing the abusing may have helped me identify strange behaviours and act safely.

I was fortunate when I disclosed, I was believed right away, and I received the attention and care I needed as a child.

Ensure that we teach our children what safe and unsafe feels like for them. Teach about what strange behaviours look like and implement a three-step process that they can remember to keep themselves safe.

I recommend:

Step 1: Say “stop I don’t like that”
Step 2: Move to a safe place
step 3: Tell a trusted adult.

This needs to be repeated and reinforced just like we teach reading and writing. Please reach out if you need support with this.

Invest in the T-I-M-E because T-I-M-E is love