Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Listener Trudy bravely shared her experience of being abducted when she was just 6 years old. Trudy also offers the advice that she"s given to her son to try to keep him safe…

If you have any concerns, or would like more information, visit the web site of Bravehearts by CLICKING HERE.

Trudy has also offered these tips. 

( This advice is general, comes from a listener and may not suit your particular circumstances. 97.3fm takes now ownership or responsibility for these tips. )

PREVENTION

• Prevention is far far better than a cure.
• Your child should show good manners, do what they are asked, respect their elders.
• However, this should be completely reversed in a situation of being threatened. They should not go along with everything just because one of their ‘elders’ asked them to. 
• Give your child permission to react when threatened
• Give your child permission to so NO to an adult when threatened
• If they get it wrong, give them ability to apologise but understand their reaction was appropriate
• Give your kids the ability to react on instinct. Hesitation or doubt may cost the 30 seconds that make a difference. It's better for them to over-react and say sorry than under-react and never get the chance to.
• Talk about different circumstances and what they could or should do as part of everyday conversation. As we mentioned this morning, if they are sitting in the car and a stranger jumps in - whether they are at the shopping centre, beach or in the home driveway - what should they do.
• Do not rely on ‘xyz would never do that’.
• Empower your child through knowledge
• Consider different settings, circumstances
• Talk frequently. Conduct  role play
• Enable them to differentiate when they need help –v- misbehaviour
• Make sure your children know to “Run, remember, and retell” when they feel threatened. 
• No secrets,  just surprises
• Bathers/underwear should only be worn in a private area
• Never yell at your children if they get it wrong and react through fear or when threatened at the wrong time
• Consider what knowledge your child needs whatever you’re doing, going to a shopping centre, markets etc – where to go, what to do if they get lost
• Abuse includes physical, emotional/mental, sexual abuse as well as neglect
• 1 in 4 girls, 1 in 6 boys are abused
• More often than not, the perpetrator is known  – family, friends, working around children, clowns to teachers to scout leaders
• Prepare for the worst, expect and hope for the best – balance

AWARENESS

TREATMENT 

• Lay responsibility at correct place. Don’t make your child feel bad for telling you these things. 
• Get help and professional advice (GP, mental health plan, Spiritus, ACT for kids, Bravehearts)
• Victim, survivor, thriver
• Stop the cycle of abuse, repeated behaviour
• Learn to enjoy the moments