|
Featured
Article
Protect
Your Children Educate Yourself
Story by Mark Simon
Story courtesy of South
Coast Magazine
The
cases usually appeared the same way. Sitting at my
desk, I would read through crime reports generated
by patrol officers answering calls for service. During
my five or so years as a detective in the sex crimes
detail, hundreds, if not thousands, of reports came
across my desk. Unfortunately, a large number of the
cases could have been avoided.
A
common statement made by parents during my investigation
was: "I had a feeling something was not right," or
"He seemed like a genuinely nice person that I felt
I could trust." There is a reason for this.
Not
all pedophiles are strangers lurking in parks or game
arcades. In fact, the majority are neighbors, co-workers
or family members. Educating your children can protect
them against the "stranger" molester. Educating yourself
will protect them from the violator who lives down
the street.
This
predator is very adept at gaining your trust. He has
to be, for this is the way he gains access to your
child. A pedophile will spend months, or even years,
to gain your trust. Bottom line is .don't. Pedophiles
learn what to say, and how and when to say it.
I
had a case involving a 23-year-old living in an apartment
complex. He placed an ad in the laundry room offering
free babysitting. Thirteen parents, all single mothers
with financial restrictions, took him up on his offer.
Be
aware of adults who spend an inordinate amount of
time with children. I have actually had cases where
adult men turned their garages into video game rooms
simply to lure the neighborhood kids to his home.
Another case involved a man offering free math tutoring
to his neighbor. The victim was molested for two years
until the mother went to his apartment and saw her
daughter sitting on his lap. And remember, not all
pedophiles are male. Although very rare, there have
been cases involving female perpetrators.
There is not enough room here for me to list all the
techniques and methods pedophiles use in their hunt
for victims. Please take the time to research their
behavior. If you witness this behavior, react appropriately
and quickly. Too often I was told: "I should have
seen this coming."
Mark
Simon
33282 Golden Lantern Suite 112
Dana Point, CA 92628 949-295-8511
(South
Coast Magazine - Spring 2007)
|
