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PROTECTING OUR CHILDREN

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We, at LostNMissing, have noticed a rise in children being harmed, molested or killed by live-in boyfriends that mothers are choosing! This is shocking.  Did you know...

• 1 of 5 girls and 1 of 6 boys will be molested before their 18th birthday.
• 90% of all sexual assaults against children are committed by someone whom the victim knew.
• The typical sexual predator will assault 117 times before being caught.
• The re-arrest rate for convicted child molesters is 52%.

Did you know...a simple inexpensive background check is available for anyone?

Be very picky on who you allow around your children. 

Your children's life depends on you.

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IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO PARENTS:

please click banner to read full size.

Note: Snopes stated all is true, the only unverified is that the pop rocks do not come in flavors like cola, etc. Only Strawberry. Alert still important.

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SHOCKING VIDEO!! 

Bystanders walk on by while 7 year old is abducted.

This was a test undercover video to see how adults would react when witnessing an abduction. The results are shocking.

Message from LostNMissing:

Teaching children to scream "You're not my dad!"...is not always the wise thing nowadays. Bystanders may think it's a step parent and the child is unruly. Teach your children to yell the truth..."He's KIDNAPPING ME, HELP ME!"

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A THOUGHT TO PONDER:

If we took every pedophile in the USA and converted each one to a blue growling monster, walking among society, would we still allow children to walk unattended or in groups at such young ages? 

 

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Know your own neighborhood. Does a registered sex offender live near where your children play or visit? Find out easily by clicking here:   

Find sex offenders near me

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PARENTS.... YOUR HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT, PLEASE:

Click here for a Powerful 60 second video clip. EVERY parent and child should watch!

ONLINE PREDATORS KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING.  DO YOU?

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IF YOU HAVE KIDS AT HOME, AND A COMPUTER,

YOU'RE AN INTERNET PARENT!!

click banner for K9 Web Protection- Free!

If you’re like most of us, parenting in the age of the Internet has you facing a new set of challenges. Blue Coat is committed to helping you and all communities through this 'First Generation of Internet Parenting'.

K9 Web Protection is our free Internet filtering and control solution for the home. K9 puts YOU in control of the Internet so you can protect your kids. 

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CRIME MAP OF YOUR TOWN:  sign up to receive emails on crimes occurring in your city or town.Click here.

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IMPORTANT:

Using your Cell Phone to call 9-1-1 in a dire emergency

may not help you.

Click HERE for important information about your cellphone and 911

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Go with your instinct. With only a chance meeting in a convenient store, woman rescues two children from a sexually abused home. Police did not take woman seriously, however, this young woman was persistent in her research and invariably saves two children from the hands of a husband-wife team who committed sexual crimes against a 3-year old girl and 17-year old boy.

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CELL PHONE PHOTO TIP:

Take a photo of your children with your cellphone before leaving the home. Should they go missing you'll have their pic ready with clothing worn at the time. Delete upon returning home and keep this as a routine. Just in case.

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IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER:   Always have a "code" with your children!

Don't forget, the age-old wise tip that all parents should have a special "code" for their children.

The code would be used in the case of someone needing to pick up your child from school, at a playmate's house, park or other gathering areas.  This is important because even if both you and your child are familiar with one who approaches your child, doesn't necessarily mean you sent that person to pick him or her up. So be sure to use a code. 

In the case that you do send your neighbor, be sure the neighbor knows the code word and more importantly, be sure your child is well trained to remember to ask for a code from anyone that picks him or her up other than parents or siblings. 

BE SURE TO CHANGE THE CODE FOLLOWING.

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STRANGER DANGER
A must see with your children!

courtesy of, and narrated by:

Mary Rodriguez, Senior Deputy

Travis County Sheriff's Department (TEXAS)

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DANGERS OF TEXTING WHILE DRIVING

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A MOTHER'S GRIEF -  LOSS OF A BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER, SISTER

13 year old teen girl commits suicide after bullying and taunting

due to a topless photo she "sext messaged" to a boy.

 

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

THE DANGEROUS WORLD OF SEXT MESSAGING

by Jacquelin Van Lieu , Support Member of LostNMissing

Sexting is the act of sending sexually explicit messages or photos electronically, primarily between mobile phones. It is an act that can spiral out of control and can damage reputations, causes the sender to become a target of bullies and ridicule which can spread like a virus.

 

Unfortunately, sexting is a growing trend among teens.  Statistics say that one in five  teens have been involved in sexting.  Some of the reasons that teenagers are falling into this trend is that they think of it as being cool, or they are trying to entice a boy or girl to notice them.  Many times they are just wanting to flirt. Sometimes they a sext message as a joke and the receiver forwards it to another friend, usually to prove it they really did receive a nude photo of someone else, and that person sends it on to others until the photo ends up in the wrong hands and suddenly the consequence is not what the person had in mind when they did it.  What started out innocently can have disastrous results.

 

Hope, age 13, was just beginning the journey from childhood to teen. The middle-school student sent a topless photo of herself to a boy with the hopes of gaining his attention. Instead, she got the attention of her school, as well as the high school nearby. The boy forwarded mass copies of Hope Witsell and it all began, the result of what was thought to only to be seen by one boy's eyes only became torture and humiliation as other teens bullied her and harassed her endlessly until she could not endure it and she took her life by hanging herself.  Her parents were never aware of how deeply she hurt from the bullying and teasing and certainly were not prepared to walk into the bedroom to find their daughter had decided to take her own life.  They did what all parents would do.  When they learned of the sexting photo, sent the year prior, they took away her cell phone and her computer. They talked with her on why it was not a wise thing to do.  What they didn't know was how deeply it had run its course over the year and how much pain and guilt their daughter endured.  As parents we can all talk to our children before any thoughts of sexting enters their minds.  Parents need to be aware of what your child is sending and receiving on their cell phones and what they send or receive on their computers.  Even the most trusted of teens could receive photo's that are inappropriate beyond the control of the receiver.

 

Tips for Parents

 

• Talk to your kids about cell phone dangers, messages or pictures they send are not truly private.

• Know who your kids are communicating with

• Learn who your kids are spending time with online and on the cell phone

• Check messages and photos sent and received on your child's phone. After all, you own the phone.

• Contact your cell phone provider about blocks or monitors

• Be aware of the number of texts and photos your child sends each month.

• Have an open dialog with your teen to encourage them to alert you should they receive an inappropriate photo.

 

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Protecting Children Online

TEENS AND COMPUTERS:

Two teenage girls, 14 years old and honor roll students pulled a stunt that neither sets of parents would ever have imagined. Neither child is allowed computers, yet, parents found the girls ranaway and after days of searching for them, an investigator discovered that the girls were using computers at friends houses.  Where did they go? Well, first they took the keys and their grandmother's car and drove across the country to North Carolina to meet a man on the Internet....Click Link Here to continue reading

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Important Acronyms for parents that children may use online:

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September 23, 2009:

Facebook Led to Attempted Teen Kidnap

Two North Dakota men are accused of trying to pick up a 14-year-old girl from her school in Bowling Green, Ky., and bring her back to North Dakota to marry one of the men's 14-year-old son.

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 Recommended Rules For Parents!

Computer House Rules:

• Be sure to place your computer in a central location -- It's not ideal for children to have computers in their bedrooms, start while they're young in keeping the computer in a main area of the home.
• Ask questions -- "Who are you communicating with?"
• Set house rules that children and teens only exchange conversations and emails with people that they know.
• Always monitor the sites they develop such as MySpace, Facebook and others.  It's important that their sites reflect individuality, however, children tend to want to "follow the crowd" and unsavory icons can become a poor reflection of your child.
• Be sure the homes that your children visit honor the same rules as yours
  
• Revoke the privilege of computer time should your child abuse the rules that you set.
• Be sure your children understand the importance of not releasing personal information to anyone online.
• Review important internet awareness such as scams, virus alerts, phishing and other important topics to help prevent losing personal identification or causing damage to your computer.
• Utilize web site monitoring software: There is software that approves and blocks the sites that kids can see. Or you can install software that records all data that's sent, received, downloaded and viewed. There is also software that allows you to see what sites your children are viewing. A listing will be provided on our Products page soon.

Excellent Article:

“Kids can be very trusting, often times they do not even realize that they are giving information away.”  "Pedophiles will ask many common questions about school and friends, and even personality traits such as favorite color and foods. A predator will put the information together like a puzzle. They will form a profile of the child. Using this information they will learn where the child lives, and even their schedule.” - Joanne Carroll, of East Hill Family Medical in Auburn, NY article by Jennifer Hogan / The Citizen

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EXCELLENT REPORT by TMJ4

I-Team: Can You See Me?

By John Mercure

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 Sign up to receive emails on recalled products that affect families and children. You can request specific category alerts, as well.  A valuable service provided by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

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Under YOUR Influence: An excellent website for parental involvement with their teen's and driving. Click here.

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Child Sex Abuse:  Parent's For Megan's Law

 

Who Are The Victims?

 

·         One in three girls are sexually abused before the age of 18.

·         1 in 6 boys is sexually abused before the age of 18.

·         One in 5 youth received a sexual approach or solicitation over the Internet in the past year.

·         The average age for first abuse is 9.9 years for boys and 9.6 years for girls.

·         Abuse typically occurs within a long-term, on-going relationship between the offender and victim, escalates over time and lasts an average of four years.

·         Many child sexual abuse victims never disclose their abuse to anyone. Less than 10% of child sexual abuse is reported to the police.

·         Children are most vulnerable between ages 8 -12.

·         29% of all forcible rapes occurred when the victim was under 11 years old.

·         15% of sexual assault and rape victims are under the age of 12.

·         44% of sexual assault and rape victims are under age 18.

·         Children with disabilities are 4 to 10 times more vulnerable to sexual abuse than their non-disabled peers.

·         Nearly 30% of child sexual assault victims identified by child protective service agencies were between 4 and 7 years of age.

·         93% of juvenile sexual assault victims know their attacker, 34.2% of attackers were family members and 58.7% were acquaintances and only 7% of the perpetrators were strangers to the victim.

·         Nearly 50 % of all the victims of forcible sodomy, sexual assault with an object, and forcible fondling are children under the age of 12.

·         60% of girls who had sex before the age of 15 were coerced by males averaging 6 years their senior.

·         Women who experienced sexual abuse as a child are 2 to 3 times more likely to be sexually assaulted later in life.

·         Like rape, child molestation is one of the most underreported crimes: only 1-10% are ever disclosed. Source: FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin.

·         Fabricated sexual abuse reports constitute only 1% to 4% of all reported cases. Of these reports 75% are reported by adults.

    Children fabricate sexual abuse less than 1% of the time.

IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THERE ARE 60 MILLION SURVIVORS OF CHILDHOOD SEXUAL ABUSE IN AMERICA TODAY.

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                                   ^the above are actors^
What Are The Effects Of Child Sexual Abuse?

·         The experience of sexual abuse for a child distorts her or his self-concept, orientation to the world and affective capabilities.

 

·         High rates of depression, anxiety, substance abuse, dissociative disorders, interpersonal dysfunction, sexual problems and suicidal ideation have all been identified to varying degrees among men and women who survive child sexual abuse.

·         Child sexual assault victims are 4.7 times more likely to be the subsequent victim of a sex crime.

·         Adolescents with a history of sexual abuse are significantly more likely to engage in sexual behavior that puts them at risk for HIV infection.

 

·         A 1996 report from the US Department of Justice estimated rape and sexual abuse of children to cost $1.5 billion in medical expenses and $23 billion total annually to US victims.

·         When sexually abused children are not treated, society must later deal with resulting problems such as mental health issues, drug and alcohol abuse, crime, suicide and the perpetuation of a cycle of sexual abuse.

SOURCE: Parents for Megan's Law.  Please visit their excellent website for more information regarding sexual abuse of children and support for those who are victims of child sex abuse.  WEBSITE: PARENTS FOR MEGAN'S LAW 

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GUNS IN THE HOME? Yes, or no?

A special thanks to Kevin Atherton for his excellent cartoon depiction of a child's curiosity when a gun is in the home.  This particular drawing can also be seen at the LifeWay Christian Resources site/Lifeway Press. For more of Kevin's work,  click at this link:  Kevin Atherton


Gun Safety in the Home

*News stories circulating about the recent rise in gun sales cite National Safety Council data that one percent of unintentional child fatalities are due to incidents involving firearms. Some suggest this data is evidence that guns do not pose a significant risk to children. The NSC does not make this connection. The 1 percent statistic refers only to the 144 children age 19 and under who died in unintentional firearms incidents in 2004. However, this data does not include an additional 2,713 children age 19 and under who died that year in all firearms-related incidents, including suicides and homicides. These victims included 358 children age 14 and under. *Information obtained from the National Safety Council

As parents, we have a responsibility:  Should parents choose to have guns in the home, there are a number of preventative measures that will safeguard your family to help prevent accidental, or avoidable, tragedies in the home.  Using common sense is the first and foremost of priorities.


Common Sense Point #1:  Keep guns unloaded and locked up at all times.  As soon as your children are old enough to understand the concept of injury and danger, show them the guns, teach them about these weapons (including taking the kids with you to a firing range where you can demonstrate what guns can do.)  Have your older children hold an empty gun while you're present. This is to avoid the possibility of them wanting to "experience" a curiosity when you are away.  Do everything possible to instill in them that NOBODY is to ever touch them without an adult present.  

Common Sense Point #2:  Kids will get that key if  they want to because some are bound and determined to do just the opposite of what we say.  STAY AWAY FROM GUNS.  DON’T TOUCH MY GUN/KEY/SAFE!  That is why Point #1 is so important:  TEACH YOUR CHILDREN WELL.  Teenagers are hormonal, overly curious, some are suicidal, even it it’s just for a day!  Be prepared for that day, every day.  KNOWLEDGE IS KEY!

7/24/09:Bakersfield, CA police say a teenage boy accidentally killed himself Friday with a handgun. Investigators were called to a home in southwest Bakersfield regarding a gunshot victim. Officers found 15-year-old James Christian Peterson dead from a gunshot wound. Investigators believe Peterson retrieved a key to the secured handgun without his parent's knowledge and inadvertently discharged the gun. (KGET.com)

The above article proves that locking up guns is not enough.  The Eddie Eagle ^® program by the NRA teaches kids pre-K to 3rd grade about gun safety.  Their four main concepts are STOP-DON’T TOUCH-LEAVE THE AREA-TELL AN ADULT.  The NRA also teaches other age-appropriate levels, and/or provides materials for you and/or your community to provide the education.  To request a free sample about the materials involved, or to learn more, call  1-800-231-0752 or click link here.

Three fundamental NRA rules:
1 - ALWAYS keep the gun pointed in a safe direction.
2 - ALWAYS keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.
3 - ALWAYS keep the gun unloaded until ready to use.

There are so many more directions, instructions, and guidance features available that it is impossible to cover the information in a few paragraphs.  If you want a gun in your home, or have one, look up all the safety information you can.  Your resources are books, internet, magazines, NRA information, and common sense.

Article by, Linda Addison, RN

March 8, 2010:  Three Year Old Child shoots self fatally with loaded gun left on coffee table. She may have thought it was a video game controller.
Prayers.  LINK: click here

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*According to the 2007 Partnership Attitude Tracking Study of 6,511 teens (PATS Teens), the number one reason teens see for using drugs is to deal with the pressures and stress of school. In this nationally projectable study (margin of error +/- 1.6 percent), 73 percent of teens reported that school stress is the primary reason for drug use.

Parents! Talk to your children about the dangers of drugs and alcohol.  Don't leave it up to the schools, and don't wait until it's too late.

Signing up for the Talk Kit is quick and easy. You’ll get these great Time To Talk benefits...Free!
To obtain your free guide, please click here.


Talking to your children about drug and alcohol abuse can be difficult, but you don’t have to go it alone. A community of parents at the Time To Talk Group at Yahoo Groups is available to offer support and advice that will not only help you to start the conversation, but to keep it going.

*Info courtesy of 20th Annual Partnership for a Drug-Free America Study

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Missing child Cases A Tough Call

By SARAH BURGE

Hundreds of thousands of children are reported missing across the country each year, and in the past nine months, more than 9,800 have been reported from the Inland area alone.

With numbers like that, it's clear that police can't investigate every case aggressively, the way they would with a confirmed abduction.

That leaves them with the often-difficult task of choosing cases to devote their limited resources to. Many missing children -- especially older teens -- are deemed runaways not sufficiently at risk of harm to justify a full-court press....

 To read more, please click link to original article:  Click here

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Alexis A. Moore

Expert in cyberstalking, traditional stalking, identity theft, credit collections, domestic violence and privacy protection. Ms. Moore is the founder of Crime Victim Organization Network, President of Survivors In Action national crime victims' organization and host of Taking Action Radio. She is a director for Witness Justice National Crime Victim’s Organization and Women’s Legal Resource. She is an Advisory board member of The Beginning Over Foundation and The Weaker Vessel. Ms. Moore has become the “go-to person” for issues pertaining to domestic abuse, stalking, privacy protection, identity theft and credit collections as well as the new phenomenon, cyberstalking. For More information e-mail Alexis@SurvivorsInAction.com

How stalkers and cyberstalkers obtain victims' personal information

it's as simple as a "click of the mouse"

Author:

Alexis A. Moore,  President

Survivors In Action

Everyday another ten or twelve victims of stalking or cyberstalking contact me. The victims find out about my work as a privacy and stalking expert by reading a news story or from one of the columns I have written for magazines and newspapers over the years.

The victims are scared, confused, frustrated and in desperate need of assistance and support that has not changed over the years.

However, in recent years there is a new common thread emerging. All of the stalking cases in one form or another involve the use of technology to stalk, harass, manipulate and destroy.

While technology advances and improves so does the ability of the stalkers to harass, manipulate and even destroy a person's life with the simple "click of a mouse".

The internet is the "wild wild west", and for those who are still non-believers take a look at the records that are available on-line today, and how easy it is to access any record you can think of with the simple click of a mouse.

Identity theft, stalking and cyberstalking cases also involve a common thread of their own, and that is the use of the internet by the perpetrators. It cannot be denied that the use of technology has improved and enhanced lives, that is for sure. However, the real question I am constantly pondering is for what price?

For some victims of stalking incidents last for years and even a decade because of the use of technology. For others changing their name, social security number and moving from one state to another is the only way to find resolve.

It is up to all of us who work in public safety and in particular with victims of stalking to rise above the "status quo" and to adjust to the maneuvers of the perpetrators who are utilizing tech.This requires time, patience and lots of additional hours that the job doesn't pay for; however, in order to excel and try to at least stay one step behind the perpetrators this is what has to be done.

Survivors In Action is accepting sign-ups for no-cost training programs for victim advocates, prosecutors and those who work in public safety regarding the use of technology by perpetrators. Please visit Survivors In Action for more information.

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