Safety Tips

Safety Tip - Abduction

Hey kids, have you ever been separated from your mom or dad? Way scary, isn't it? 

That’s just how your mom and dad feel when they can't find you! 

It's no big deal when you wander away from your parents in the store … right? Wrong! Your mom and dad are so scared when they can’t find you! 

When you wander off, you eventually come back and everything is cool! But some kids don’t come back because they’ve been abducted. Being abducted means someone has taken you away against your will. When you’re abducted people do bad things to you, or tell you to do things to them that don’t feel right or good to you.

Do you even know what an abductor looks like? Can you see them in the street or pick them out of a crowd? Kidnappers don’t look any different than you and me. They don’t act differently. It’s not easy to know if you’re near a kidnapper.

A kidnapper will want to be your friend. They might offer you candy or presents. They might tell you that they want you to help them find their lost puppy. They might tell you that your mom or dad was in an accident and they’re there to take you to your mom or dad. Remember one thing … they can hurt you.

Never take rides, candy, gifts, or money from strangers.
It's okay to say "NO THANK YOU."

Always report to a police officer, a parent, a teacher or any adult you know if a stranger:

 

  • Wants to play with you.
  • Asks you to go with him/her. Tries to have a conversation with you, or touch you while you are at the movies, playground, or walking anywhere.
  • Offers you a ride, candy, gum, present, or money. 
  • Always try to get a full description of the stranger. 
  • If you see a suspicious car, take down the license number with a pencil and paper; write it in the dirt or on the sidewalk with a stick or stone.

If you don't know them … don't go!
 

  • Say No! 
  • Get Away!
  • Tell Someone 
  • Scream Loud! 
  • Play Safe!
  • Never play in alleys or deserted buildings. 
  • Use the Buddy System. Always take a friend when you go to playgrounds, stores, movies, etc.
  • Get home before dark. Never go anywhere unless you have your parent's permission and Secret Password. Play in safe places with friends. Never play in strange places.
  • Phone home to tell your parents where you are if you change locations or will be late. Never tell a caller that you are home alone.
  • Dial 9-1-1 or “O” if you are home alone and need help in an emergency.
  • Let mom or dad know where you are. Always ask before you go somewhere.
  • If anyone approaches you who you don’t know, no matter what they tell you … walk away! If they try to grab you, scream real loud and run away as fast as you can. If you don’t see a police officer anywhere, find a store, or a place where there are a lot of people and get help.
  • If you are taken away, your abductor will probably tell you your parents didn’t want you anymore.
  • Never ever believe that. It’s not true!
  • Before you go anywhere, always check first with your parents or the person in charge. Tell them where you are, how you’ll get there, who will be going with you and, when you’ll be back.
  • Check for permission from your parents before getting into a car, or leaving with anyone … even if it’s someone you know.
  • Check first before changing plans or accepting money, gifts, or drugs without your parents' knowledge.
  • Say NO if someone tries to touch you in ways that make frighten you, confuse you, or make you feel uncomfortable. Then go and tell a grown-up who you trust what happened.
  • It is never your fault if someone touches you in a way that is not O.K. You don’t ever have to keep secrets about those touches.

Always trust your feelings and talk to grown-ups about problems that are too big for you to handle on your own. There are a lot of people care about you, and they’ll listen and believe you. You’re not alone. 

It is never too late to ask for help. Keep asking until you get the help you need. You are so special and you deserve to feel safe. 

Luckily, most kids who are abducted are returned home safely. Child abduction is rare, but remember to always think and use common 
sense in every situation.

Contact Us

Phone:
212.629.2099
Toll Free:
1.888.347.KIDS (5437)
email: info@loveourchildrenusa.org