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Learn To Protect Children From Strangers
Psychologist Says There's Fine Line Between Protecting, Scaring Child
POSTED: Wednesday, May 19, 2010
UPDATED: 5:37 pm EDT May 19, 2010
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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- As the school year nears its end and summer vacation begins, parents may have questions about what they should tell their children to protect them from dangerous people or strangers
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The disappearance and killing of Somer Thompson, a 7-year-old Orange Park girl, in October shook the local community. It became a tragic reminder of the dangerous people who live in the area who want to hurt children.
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Somer's mother said she talked to her daughter all the time about strangers.
Perhaps, though, Somer didn't consider the people she passed every day walking home from school to be strangers.
Could that be why police said Jarred Harrell, who investigators said killed Somer, was able to get close to her? That may never be known.
But Somer's heart-wrenching death should be a reminder to everyone to find ways to protect their children from strangers.
"Obviously what happened to Somer was a horrible tragedy," Antal said. "No one could predict that someone would do such horrific acts to her and take advantage of that family in that way. All we can do is say, 'Well, you walk home from school, if you come across someone sitting outside or walking their dog, if they're not on that list of those few safe adults, then you walk away."
Antal said be very careful about using fear tactics with children. She said children as young as 3 and 4 should be taught about staying safe.
She said to say things like, "You need to stay safe with mommy when we're in the store by not running away, because I don't want you to get hurt."
Antal said to avoid telling a young child someone will take them.
