Be alert to locations and situations that make you and your family vulnerable to crime, and be aware of the people around you and your family. Educate yourself on crime prevention tactics, by contacting our Crime Prevention Unit or the Crime and Violence Prevention Center of the California Attorney General's Office. Teach your children to avoid situations that putthem in danger of abuse, molestation or abduction. Help protect your childby establishing a home environment where your child feels safe of shame,ridicule or punishment. A safe and supportive home environment,combined with clear instructions about what behavior is acceptable and whatis not, will guide your child's actions and encourage your child to tellyou if something improper happens.
Many parents warn their childrennot to talk to strangers.
But more often than not, an abuser or abductoris known to the child. He or she can be a school bus driver, teacher, relative,neighbor, or family friend. It is best to teach your child toavoid certain situations or actions. Children should know from an earlyage that some behavior isn't acceptable, and that they have the right totell an adult to leave them alone. If you get lost in a store, find another mom with children or go to the checkout counter and tell them that you're lost.