Anytime they are approached by an adult they should check with a parent or trusted adult immediately. How child molesters and abductors gain a child's confidence. Often times they will befriend a child by asking for help. They may also gain your child's trust by very minor contacts over several days, such as saying hello to them repeatedly. Make sure your children know to tell you if a stranger is trying to make friends with them.
Children are most vulnerable when they are alone.
Individuals who prey on children wait for an opportunity when the child is alone. Children should not be outside their home by themselves, even for short periods of time. They should walk to and from school and bus stops in groups. Working together with other families in your neighborhood to develop a formal plan for kids to walk together is a good idea. Parents are encouraged to join or organize a Neighborhood Watch Program in their community.