after reading that thread on the kid ICE needed help identifying - I am debating whether or not I can let my children ride their bikes in our neighborhood, which is a small new circle neighborhood without cross streets. seriously, there is a BIG problem with predators these days. jeesh, i was afraid to let my son go on a fishing trip with the neighbor and his kid. i did, but i had to give him a talk before. we've already had the talk about the no no zones etc., but i had to remind him. and there is NOTHING strange about my neighbor. he's a nice normal guy, but we live in a sick sick sick world. i HATE being a nervous nellie mom and it's not in my nature to be one, but I'm started to change my ways, ya know.
That kid has me on my knees. He looks like one of my boys when he was younger, and I am praying, praying, praying that he is found and set free.
kgeaux, good point about leaving evidence behind if you are taken. i've been thinking that all week - like Hansel and Gretel with the bread crumbs or whatever they left behind. I'm going to fill my kids in on this soon. I guess you could tear pieces of your clothing off etc. Did your self defense class give you examples of what to leave behind. All I can think of is torn clothing and pulling out some of your hair, but it seems like that wouldn't be easy to find.
Here is what I remember: scratch the perp, now you have skin cells under your fingernails. Try to hurt him, gouge his eyes out, now there is blood evidence. Rib at HIS clothes. Pull HIS hair. What you want is to #1, NEVER LEAVE WITH SOMEONE WHO IS TRYING TO ABDUCT YOU. I was told to remind yourself and BELIEVE that whatever happens to you right here, right now, is not nearly as bad as what will happen if perp gets you in a secluded place. The goal is to stand your ground right here, right now. Some perps will leave if you refuse to leave with them, some may not. But if they DON'T LEAVE:
Fight for your life. Do not be embarrassed, do not hesitate. (You know, the old "what if I scream like a banshee and this guy is really just a youth pastor trying to save my soul" second guessing.) If you feel like something is wrong, ACT like something is wrong. FIGHT DIRTY. Pull hair, kick gonads, gouge eyes, use your body and anything you have on you as a weapon.
Scream like your life depends upon it.
ATTRACT ATTENTION This is something that can be hard to do, especially if you are a Southern woman.If-on the off chance-it really is just a youth pastor trying to save your soul, then you can apologize later.
I made sure my sons all took self defense classes. Hopefully it will help if they ever need to use self defense, and on a purely selfish note, if it doesn't help, at least I know I did everything I could....