CHUG: How "Stranger Danger" Can Threaten Child Safety
CHUG: How "Stranger Danger" Can Threaten Child Safety
When teaching children safety behaviors at home and at school, it’s important to understand that the most immediate threats are committed by family members or someone the child knows. Using the term “stranger danger” can be confusing when teaching children how to identify safe adults.
“Avoiding strangers will not help if the abductor is a family member, neighbor, or family acquaintance. When you talk to your children about abduction prevention, don’t focus on warning them about certain types of people. Instead, teach them to identify and respond to threatening situations.”
It’s important to practice safety scenarios with your children to help ensure that they understand how to react in the event of a threatening situation.