Creepy old Men

In preparation for a successful World Cup the issue of child trafficking has been brought to our attention. Being a topic of great concern, tales of kidnapping and abduction that seem dramatized and exaggerated are passed from girl friend to the other. I often wonder how real and widespread child trafficking is. Is it just the hype of the media over isolated incidents? Or are there truths behind the stories that have crept into tea parties, baby showers and school corridors?

Last week Sunday whilst ice skating with the family, my mother pulled me aside, concerned about my little sister, an avid skater of five years. She pointed out an old man who I had noticed at the skates’ counter- he stood out from the crowd. Roughly aged between 60 and 65 years, his graying head was covered with a billabong beanie. He wore tracks with a formal jacket and shirt, finished off with a blood red oversized tie that looked more like a posh napkin. As I forced my feet into the scrappy hired skates I saw him fish out his own pair of skates from a giant sized suit case that had a Ghana flag stuck to the side. That gave me the creeps. Why the colossal sized suit case?

When mum told me that he commented on Babes (my sister) and offered her sweets my mind wondered into a world of gruesome possibilities. He looked like a child snatcher, chatting to random children and teenagers with a sneaky smile that revealed a bad set of teeth.

One can never be sure. Perhaps he is what I suspect him to be. Perhaps when we left the rink, a little girl left with him, lured by his practiced charm. And perhaps by the time we arrived home the little girl realized her tragic fate and screamed for her mother in vein.

I hope that all the children who skated that night fell asleep safely, in their own beds. Chances are they did.

But how do we know? How many cases go unreported? Is it closer to us then we think, perhaps a house away, a block away or a suburb away?

I alarmed by the amount of children that I see without parental supervision in malls, parks and on the streets. At the ice rink I would estimate that over 70% of the children and tweens were unsupervised which made my concerns even more valid.

The reality is that you can’t take the chance. The reality is that vigilant parental supervision is non negotiable. The reality is that you don’t know what could happen. Don’t under estimate the potential danger.

Here are some top tips on keeping your child safe:

1. Have a plan if your child gets separated from you in a public place. As soon as your child can’t see you they must sit down or not move, making it easier for you to find them.

2. Get into a routine. Establish a routine for picking your child up from school and other events. Agree on who is allowed to fetch your child and a code that must be used in the event that you are unable to fetch them.

3. Inform your child. Your child should always consult you before going out and you should let your child know of your where about.

4. Drill the details. Your child should be able to recite their parents name, phone number and physical address. Equip younger children with an identity wristband, containing the above details.

5. Stranger alert. Ensure that your child has a good understanding of who a stranger is. A child’s perception of a stranger can change depending on what a person looks like, says or does unless they have a clear understanding.

6. Talk about abduction. Make your child aware of abduction using methods they will understand. You are not protecting your child by sheltering them from the issue.

7. Never leave your child alone. Never leave your child unattended in a public place and ensure that they are always in sight. If they need to go to the bathroom, always go with them.

8. Listen carefully. Listen closely when your child talks about their friends and other people who they may spend time with when you are not there. If you feel uncomfortable about what they mentioned, asked questions and get clarity. Never doubt your feelings or think that you are being silly.