An analysis by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
(NCMEC), shows that approximately 35 percent of attempted abductions of
children occurred when the child was going to and from school or
school-related activities. Children who escaped abductions
successfully, used life-saving skills that every child needs to learn
and know.
NCMEC recently completed the seven-year analysis of more than 7,000
attempted abductions that occurred Feb. 1, 2005 through Jan. 31, 2012.
The analysis showed that of the children - mostly girls between the ages
of 10 and 14 - who were successful in escaping:
53 percent walked or ran away from the suspect
28 percent yelled, kicked, pulled away or attracted attention
19 percent involved a good Samaritan or parent rescuing the child
"We know that teaching children about safety makes a difference, and we
encourage parents and guardians to talk to their children so they know
what to do in a real life situation," said John Ryan, CEO of NCMEC.
"Teach your children to recognize and get out of dangerous or
uncomfortable situations right away and practice basic safety skills
with them."
Some of the common lures used included providing the child a ride,
offering candy/sweets, asking the child questions, offering money or
using an animal as a ruse. In 72 percent of the incidents, the suspect
was in a vehicle and approximately one-third of the attempted abductions
occurred during 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., when children are least likely to be
supervised.
NCMEC has developed the following 10 back-to-school safety tips:
1) Teach your older children to always TAKE A FRIEND with them when walking
or biking, and stay with a group while standing at the bus stop. Make
sure they know which bus to ride.
2) Walk the route to and from school with your children, pointing out
landmarks and safe places to go if they're being followed or need help.
Teach your children they should NEVER TAKE SHORTCUTS and always stay in
well-lit areas.
3) Even though there may be more safety in numbers, it is still not safe
for younger children to walk to and from school, especially if they must
take isolated routes anytime during the day or in darkness. Always
provide supervision for your young children to help ensure their safe
arrival to and from school.
4) Teach your children that if anyone bothers them, makes them feel scared
or uncomfortable, they should trust their feelings and immediately get
away from that person. Teach them it is ok not to be polite and IT IS OK
TO SAY NO.
5) Teach your children that if anyone tries to take them somewhere, they
should RESIST by kicking and screaming, trying to run away and DRAWING
ATTENTION - and saying "This person is trying to take me away" or "This
person is not my father/mother."
6) Teach your children NOT TO ACCEPT A RIDE from anyone unless you have
said it is ok in that instance. If anyone follows them in a vehicle,
they should turn around, go in the other direction, and run to a trusted
adult who may help them.
7) Teach your children that grownups should NOT ASK CHILDREN FOR DIRECTIONS, they should ask other adults.
8) Teach your children to NEVER ACCEPT MONEY OR GIFTS from anyone unless you have told them it is ok to accept in each instance.
9) Make sure the school has current and accurate emergency contact
information on file for your children and confirm names of those
authorized to pick them up.
10) Always know where your children will be. Teach your children to always
CHECK FIRST before changing their plans before or after school. Teach
your children to never leave school with anyone unless they CHECK FIRST
with you or another trusted adult, even if someone tells them it is an
emergency.
Know the Rules Back to School Safety Resources are provided in the link
below:
http://www.missingkids.com/missingkids/servlet/PageServlet?LanguageCountry=en_US&PageId=3592
. Educators can get a jump on this year's back to school season by
using the new resources from NCMEC's NetSmartz (Internet safety program
for kids aged 5-17)
http://NetSmartz.org/BackToSchool .
