Independence is an exciting and necessary part of growing up, and some children love meeting new people. To keep themselves safe, you’ll need to teach them what behaviour is ok from a stranger and what isn’t. Give your child examples of behaviour that is not ok – a stranger asking them to play, walk off with them to look at something or giving them treats.
Talk about how to respond if a stranger comes up to them, or acts strangely around them. Tell them to ask for help from a police officer, another grown-up with children or someone working at a nearby shop if they get lost or feel unsafe.
By having regular discussions, you will normalise the subject so they feel comfortable talking about the subject and telling you things, or a trusted adult like a parent or teacher.
Grooming
This is when someone becomes friends and builds trust with a child to take advantage of them. The groomer will be so friendly and enthusiastic that it will be hard for the child to turn them down. It can be difficult to identify them as a groomer, because they’ll seem so normal to you or your child. They could be someone you know, even a family member, or they might be a stranger or someone in authority, like a teacher. In some cases they will first befriend the parents, so they can get to know the child.
Help protect your child from being groomed by understanding the risks to your child.
- Spending time alone without adult supervision or not in school a lot of the time.
- Being bullied or not having many friends.
- If they have additional needs.
- If they have low mood or self-esteem
The NSPCC has useful information on grooming.
How to encourage your child to stay safe
Encourage them to go with their ‘gut’ feelings. If they feel uncomfortable about something, they need to act on it.
- Explain to your child the importance of getting away from someone who frightens them. If your child has walked away from you, tell them to come back to you or to a place where there are lots of other people if you’re not there, if they have any worries.
- It’s vital that your children know they should also raise concerns if they feel worried or uncomfortable with someone they know, including a family member. They must still tell their trusted adult, even if the person who is worrying them, has told them not to.
Families who might need further support
Some young people may be more vulnerable to abuse. The best way that you as a parent can protect your child from abuse is to have an open relationship based on honesty. Contact.org.uk has a useful guide to support parents with a child with additional needs to arm your child with the confidence, knowledge and skills to protect themselves to let them enjoy exploring all that life has to offer.