Stranger Danger

If like most parents you tell your children never to talk to strangers, what happens if they end up isolated, perhaps in a shopping centre, just who should they speak to and who to avoid?? Alot of parents we have met since 2005 have automatically responded to that question by saying something like, “speak to a police officer”. Well, as great a job as the Police do, there are no longer Police on every street corner, we need to equip our children with better advice. Identifying the types of stranger is more important as ruling out strangers completely, so here is a list that we cover in our classes. 10 CLASSIFICATIONS OF STRANGERS 1.) Gift giver This is a stranger that tempts children to go with them through gifts or promises of gifts. Such as sweets, etc. 2.) Friendly This type of stranger attempts to gain children’s trust through putting on a friendly persona to attract them. 3.) Game Player A game player is a stranger that attempts to gain a Childs trust through pretending to play games and usually they will encourage the child to keep secrets. 4.) Helpless By appearing to need help a stranger can lure a child to close proximity, they may even ask for help. 5.) Familiar A familiar can be a next-door neighbour, storekeeper, school caretaker, etc. This type of stranger could use the fact they are familiar to the child to get close. 6.) Messenger A Messenger is a stranger that try’s to trick a child to accompany them under the guise they were asked to collect the child or has some important information that can only be passed on in private. 7.) Mind reader This is the stranger that gains a Childs confidence because they appear to the child as knowing a lot about them. They know their name, what school they go to, their parents name or what they do for past time. The Mind reader usually has studied its prey before they make a move. A child can be impressed by their knowledge. 8.) Promiser This stranger will make promises of a fun time if the child goes with them. 9.) Cool A stranger that demonstrates traits that children wish to emulate will use this to attract them. 10.) Scary Due to the fact children are taught to respect their elders a stranger may use this to there own ends. A stranger can use direct tactics to force children to go with them. By barking out an order for example: – “ Get here now!” Who do we suggest to go to if a child becomes isolated or lost?? We always suggest going to a mother with children, hopefully the maternal instinct will mean she will help out the child. For more information on our classes, please see our website or call us on 01442 768057