twitter facebook stumble upon rss

Protect Your Child from Sexual Abuse

by jennifer ginsberg  posted Thursday, October 21, 2010
filed under: jennifer ginsberg
sign up for the momlogic newsletter Tweet This

Jennifer Ginsberg: Yesterday, Tyler Perry discussed his childhood sexual abuse on "Oprah." How can we protect our own kids? Erin Runnion, founder of the Joyful Child Foundation, shares her suggestions for identifying "red-flag" behavior in people who may be looking to victimize your child.

Tyler Perry
According to Ms. Runnion, 90 percent of child abuse occurs at the hands of someone the victim's parents know and trust. She quotes the U.S. Department of Justice statistic that 64 percent of convicted child predators had a legitimate reason to be in contact with kids. 

In other words, these are people who work in schools and camps, who volunteer to work with children in church and who coach sports. Child predators are adults who "seek out opportunities to be alone with children," says Ms. Runnion. They work hard to gain your trust as a parent. They come across as helpful -- perhaps overly so -- and never ask for anything in return. They make themselves a friend, someone for you to count on, and they often seek out single mothers (who are more likely to be stressed and needy).

Child sexual predators appear to adore children and will buy them presents and even take them to fun places. Their goal is to gain trust -- that of both the parent and the child. They go though life acting as if they are kind and reliable, all the while crossing boundaries with the child in a methodical fashion. According to Ms. Runnion's research, over 90 percent of these predators reportedly attend church regularly and become part of a trusted community. In her opinion, this excessively helpful and seemingly pious behavior all becomes part of the twisted rationalization predators use when they abuse children.

When looking for specific traits that these men possess (and 98 percent of child sexual predators are men), Ms. Runnion describes the "Pied Piper" -- the man who is elusive to other adults and plays at the child's level. 

"In a situation where there are adults and children present -- like a party or school event -- most adults want to hang out with other adults while the children play," notes Ms. Runnion. "A red-flag behavior would be when you notice a person who is only interacting with the children, to the exclusion of other adults." What's so confusing about these men is that they seem to have a knack with children, and the kids love playing with them. However, this "fun" behavior is exhibited to ease the boundaries with the child and gain the trust of the parent. 

Ms. Runnion says that the most powerful thing you can do as a parent is be observant. "This is not about accusing someone of being a pervert," she says. "It's about protecting your child. If you notice someone ignoring you and only talking to your child, or trying to make plans with your child directly, say something like, 'In our family, we have a rule that the adults make the plans. Please ask me the questions.' If the person has good intentions, they will understand. If the person is a child predator, they will get the hell away from you and your child." 

Again, these men tend to seek out the kids of vulnerable women. By exhibiting strength and enforcing healthy boundaries, you -- and your child -- will not be deemed easy targets. According to Ms. Runnion, it is also imperative to check in with your child every day. "Ask, 'What was the best part of your day? What was the worst part of your day?' and listen to their answers," she says. "Remind them every day that their safety is the most important thing to you."


next: Ad Campaigns Promoting Eating Disorders
36 comments so far | Post a comment now
sudura laser October 24, 2010, 1:25 PM

hey there:)Glad to find your blog!I have joined a very nice website that offers free signup and has absolutely 100% amateur chicks,including me!!! Give it a try! Free sign up and search for me “Dahiana” .

aparadekto October 25, 2010, 8:03 AM

Hey, I can’t view your site properly within Opera, I actually hope you look into fixing this.

Deirdre Kelly November 8, 2010, 8:39 AM

Erin Runnion tells us how to protect our children from sex abuse

payday loans online December 10, 2010, 3:11 AM

You completed several good points there. I did a search around the issue and located nearly all people should go along with together with your blog.

pay day loans December 10, 2010, 4:08 AM

I’m really thankful towards author of the post to create this lovely and informative article live to put us. We actually appreciate ur effort. Continue the nice work… .

cash loans December 10, 2010, 4:19 AM

Easily that’s not me against whatever you saying but i need to exclude that you aren’t valid for this issue. Why we know individual convertd a lot in course of time? Can’t we just coincide on all causes? There were comparable problem in our business.Decoding the challenge want some concentrated analysis

online payday loan December 10, 2010, 4:50 AM

I had been just browsing in some places and got to see this post. I have to admit that I am within the hand of luck today otherwise getting such an excellent post to see wouldn’t have been achievable personally, at least. Really appreciate your articles.

pay day loans December 10, 2010, 5:55 AM

I became boastful to uncover this site.I desired to i appreciate you for this great read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it and that i maybe you have bookmarked to see new belongings you post.

payday loan December 13, 2010, 1:12 PM

You completed several good points there. Used to do looking about the issue and located nearly all people is going as well as using your blog.

payday loans December 13, 2010, 2:07 PM

I keep following what is the news update lecture about receiving boundless online grant applications well , i have been searching for the most effective site to obtain one. Might you advise me please, where could i get some?

same day payday loans December 13, 2010, 2:18 PM

I seriously loved this post. You describe this topic very well. When hiring home contractors it really is critical for select a trusted name in construction. Experienced and efficient staff should strive for excellence and absorb every detail of your home.

cash loans December 13, 2010, 2:46 PM

Appreciate your making the effort to go over this, I’m strongly about this and love learning more about this topic. If possible, as you gain expertise, can you mind updating your website with extra information? It is quite great for me.

payday loans in georgia December 14, 2010, 7:09 AM

Hello, I found your blog within a new directory of blogs. I don’t discover how your site came up, should have been a typo. Your website looks good, have a nice day.

quick payday loans December 14, 2010, 7:41 AM

Hello from Russia! Will it be simple for me to pages and use a submit with your weblog while using the link to you? I’ve tried emailing you concerning this problem nevertheless it seems i cant reach you, please response when employ a moment, thanks.

quick payday loans December 14, 2010, 8:35 AM

We are really thankful for the author with this post for producing this lovely and informative article live in charge of us. We actually appreciate ur effort. Sustain the excellent work… .

payday loans in georgia December 14, 2010, 8:46 AM

Hi I discovered this site by mistake after i was searching yahoo because of this issue, I need to say your websites are really helpful I also love the theme, its amazing!. I dont have that much time and energy to read your post right now but We’ve bookmarked it plus enrolled in your RSS feeds. We are in a short time. thanks for a terrific site.

payday loans no credit check December 14, 2010, 9:14 AM

Thank you for making the effort to go over this, Personally i think strongly over it and love learning more on this topic. Whenever possible, because you gain expertise, could you mind updating your website with extra information? It is quite helpful for me.

pay day loan December 14, 2010, 10:15 AM

Easily i am not saying against everything you saying but i must exclude that you’re not valid about this issue. Why that is known man convertd a whole lot in lifetime of time? Can’t we merely coincide on all causes? We comparable overuse injury in our business.Decoding the condition want some concentrated analysis

payday loan online December 14, 2010, 11:19 AM

To be sure completely with all your conclusions and believe you’ve made some excellent points. Also, I prefer the layout of your respective site and the simple navigation. I’ve bookmarked your website and may return often!

cheap payday loans December 25, 2010, 3:35 PM

I agree completely along with your conclusions and think that you’ve made some excellent points. Also, I love layout , design of your site plus the ease of navigation. I’ve bookmarked your blog and definately will return often!


Leave a reply:



(not displayed)

     




Avoid clicking "Post" more than once
Back to top >>
advertisement

featured gallery

Gwen Stefani and Family at the Park

momlogic tweets

recent activities