NCJ Number
176558
Journal
Blume Volume: Issue: Dated: Pages: -
Date Published
Unknown
Length
0 pages
Annotation
This videotape presents a discussion for parents and other adults about child safety, child sexual abuse, and child abduction; the participants include the Executive Director of Child Abuse Prevention Services of Long Island, N.Y., and a former member of the New York City Police Department kidnapping unit.
Abstract
The participants note that most child sexual abuse is perpetrated by someone known to the child, including family members, neighbors, teachers, and coaches, and that child sexual abuse from someone outside the family occurs through a gradual seduction process involving casual overfamiliarity that increases over time. The participants emphasize that teaching a child about avoiding abuse is similar to teaching about other safety issues such as fire safety and crossing the street. Other points were that New York and other States require schools to teach children about preventing sexual abuse and abductions, that parents should use care in choosing a child care center, that parents need to make children feel comfortable talking to them about problems, and that parents should not allow secrets. The participants also noted that most child abductions involved power plays between the parents, that drug prevention efforts need to start at early ages, that fear of social rejection is a stronger factor in drug abuse than is peer pressure, and that parents should look for a variety of behavioral signs that their child may be using drugs. Information about support services and information available from Child Abuse Prevention Services